Jeep Forum

[kau]

<a href="http://www.JeepForum.com" target="_blank">www.JeepForum.com</a> is my forum. Some users complain the color scheme is hard to read. Any other comments welcomed.

[noppid]

The navbar buttons at the top could have crisper text and maybe more contrast. The header jeepforum.com text needs more contrast.

The color scheme looks very dark military. The darker alt color is too dark.

Those are the things that jump out at me. I used FF to view your site.

[Princeton]

The design doesn't welcome people.
It's a bit of a turn-off.

SUGGESTIONS
- Get a new logo ... something more exciting
- Replace the navbar buttons. CONS: color, contrast, and shadow
- Replace the colors ... use one of the color combinations based off of one of the vehicles. eg. burgundy/gold, green/gold, blue/gray, etc

[AWS]

You have 1.5 mill posts with over 52,000 members and when I checked it out there were 181 members and 84 guests online.
Why change anything when what you have is very popular?

[joeychgo]

Originally Posted by noppid

The navbar buttons at the top could have crisper text and maybe more contrast. The header jeepforum.com text needs more contrast.

The color scheme looks very dark military. The darker alt color is too dark.

I agree

[Princeton]

Originally Posted by AWS

You have 1.5 mill posts with over 52,000 members and when I checked it out there were 181 members and 84 guests online.
Why change anything when what you have is very popular?

Confusious said, "Tread on water when no sharks are around; swim to safety when in danger."

The answer is simple...

1. increase registration;
2. increase productivity (posts);
3. increase amount of time members stay online;
4. increase clickthrough;
5. increase sponsors;
6. more competition, etc.

Change is good if you do it right.
Change is good if you do it gradually.
Abrupt changes will/can cause havoc.

[AWS]

Originally Posted by princeton

Confusious said, "Tread on water when no sharks are around; swim to safety when in danger."

The answer is simple...

1. increase registration;
2. increase productivity (posts);
3. increase amount of time members stay online;
4. increase clickthrough;
5. increase sponsors;
6. more competition, etc.

Change is good if you do it right.
Change is good if you do it gradually.
Abrupt changes will/can cause havoc.

Hum. Maybe I'm missing something here. The site is popular as it is. Looks like they had over 10k new posts since I looked yesterday. From the total members online it looks like they have a large number of active members so I don't think members are leaving because of the style.
This site looks to be the best resource for Jeep owners. Why mess with success?
You argument carries no water. If the site was experiencing any sort of lull in traffic or popularity then I would say your suggections would be valid. Obviously it isn't. His only concern is a few members complained about the colors. When running a popular forum with a large userbase you'll get those that complain no matter what you do. No 2 people will agree all the time. Unless his users are leaving, which I doubt they are, then he doesn't need to change anything. Maybe he could add another lighter style, but, other than that the site is fine.

[Princeton]

Hum. Maybe I'm missing something here. The site is popular as it is. Looks like they had over 10k new posts since I looked yesterday. From the total members online it looks like they have a large number of active members so I don't think members are leaving because of the style.
This site looks to be the best resource for Jeep owners. Why mess with success?
You argument carries no water. If the site was experiencing any sort of lull in traffic or popularity then I would say your suggections would be valid. Obviously it isn't. His only concern is a few members complained about the colors. When running a popular forum with a large userbase you'll get those that complain no matter what you do. No 2 people will agree all the time. Unless his users are leaving, which I doubt they are, then he doesn't need to change anything. Maybe he could add another lighter style, but, other than that the site is fine.

There are many reasons why you should take a closer look and change design, features, etc of a "busy" web site.

Of course, it all depends on the stats and the goals that are set for the site.

High activity (as you point out) doesn't mean that the site is doing well.

1. Registration per day could be slowing down.
2. Registratrion per day could be declining.
3. Member activity could be decreasing.
4. The time that member is online could be decreasing.
5. Advertisement clickthrough could be plateau or declining.

If you wait 'till the last minute to enact changes it could be to late.


A slight change in color could increase the time members stay online.
A slight change in color could increase the rate of registrations.
A slight change in layout could increase advertisement clickthroughs.
A slight change in layout / color could increase sponsors.

FOR EXAMPLE
Color-blind or visitors who do not have "perfect" vision - a slight change in color (more contrast) could increase registrations amongst this audience.

More than 80%+ of visitors will ignore your top banners - a layout change could increase clickthroughs.

[Tony G]

I don't see how its hard to read. You really couldn't use a better colour but black as your font colour. But maybe you could make your table colours a lighter shade if you're worried about it or want to make members happier - which is a good thing to do.

Your header and navbars are a bit boring. Something more graphical or illustrated would look good and polish off your style.