Naruto Divine

[TVC]

I'd like to know, from a guest perspective, what you think about my site: narutodivine.proboards.com.

[URBAN]

Mar 3, 2015 21:21:03 GMT -8 TVC said:

I'd like to know, from a guest perspective, what you think about my site: narutodivine.proboards.com.

Hello there!

FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Well I guess the first thing I can say about it is that its very clearly a naruto site, anyone who knows the series will be able to tell (you would be surprised how many forums look like their about something different), so you won't have any confused or lost guests hanging around (lol).

Honestly, there's not really much I can say about the organization of your site, from the few boards I can see they look pretty orginized, though I personally would suggest separating your OOC boards from your important boards. For example I think it would be better to create an OOC category at the bottom of your site and moving your chat board, archive, and plug into it (its just a bit awkward to have important info in the same category as your OOC boards).

Another note about not having your categories visible: while I do understand the want to keep some boards member exclusive (so to speak), its honestly not a good "selling point" for your site. As a guest looking at the board, I have no idea if the site is actually active (ic post wise), which really doesn't make me want to join. I recommend using the option that allows guests to see all your boards but restricts where they can post/enter.

Honestly I have to say that color and layout wise the site is rather, well... Bland (for lack of a better word). While the theme is very clearly naruto it really could be a bit more creative, its rather flat and despite the old/new icons seems drab and colorless. I recommend using some more colors asaccents (the cat title for instance). Layout wise the first thing I notice is that your banner isn't centered, it runs off the right side of the box. There are some simple things I can recommend that could really spice up your sites theme and make it stand out among naruto sites (sad to say but with the series in between part two and three there's much more compition for members), some things you could considure are;

• Move the banner ad above your banner, or rather move your banner below the advert - this thread should help you with that.
• I think some sort of information table would do your site good, naruto sites have a lot of important threads and events and you want them easily found, I recommend something along the lines of a side table, or maybe a tabbed table. Though, if your feeling adventerous hover banners are very cool.
• I recommend finding, making, or requesting a board remodel to reorginize your boards and give them a unique look. For instance Side by side boards are pretty cool and can give your site a cool compact look.
• I also recommend, though its less important and more preference, also finding a info center remodel (or at least getting rid of the icons in it) and maybe a mini profile remodel as well. Just some things that set your site apart.

LOOKING DEEPER
Your information is well orginized from what I've seen. Its different from most other naruto RPGs (seems a bit less oppressive that is), so thats a good thing. It seems pretty open to unique character creation and could definitely offer some cool role play encounters, you did a good job here.

Normally I would take a look at the plot as well but, and I'm not sure if I just happened to have overlooked it or something, I couldn't find one on your site XD If I did overlook it let me know, I'll happily review that as well XD

ALL IN ALL
A really good site structure that could use just a bit of a cosmetic overhaul to make it all the better. It has a good set up, and is very neat and orginized, it just needs a bit more work to make it all the better.
5.8/10

[TVC]

Thanks for the feedback! I used to have the entire site viewable but I figured, since the site has a multitude of boards, it would scare guest away. I have frequented many sites, some to roleplay and others to advertise, and I simply leave if the site is too clunky or has too many boards. This is also why I tried to keep the theme a bit monotonous. Sure, it lacks color, but it is clean, and has random bits of color (like the icons you mentioned) to give it that spark. I naught know much about coding and skins as I used to (with Proboards updating), but I naught mind a graphic artist of sorts to switch things up. The plot is in the ad. Aside from the synopsis, the plot is primarily constructed by the members (although, being a member myself, I tend to create many plots for people to interact with).

[URBAN]

Mar 3, 2015 22:55:49 GMT -8 TVC said:

Thanks for the feedback! I used to have the entire site viewable but I figured, since the site has a multitude of boards, it would scare guest away. I have frequented many sites, some to roleplay and others to advertise, and I simply leave if the site is too clunky or has too many boards. This is also why I tried to keep the theme a bit monotonous. Sure, it lacks color, but it is clean, and has random bits of color (like the icons you mentioned) to give it that spark. I naught know much about coding and skins as I used to (with Proboards updating), but I naught mind a graphic artist of sorts to switch things up. The plot is in the ad. Aside from the synopsis, the plot is primarily constructed by the members (although, being a member myself, I tend to create many plots for people to interact with).

I think that it would be good to at the very least show your character creation boards, to it won't clutter things but will show that people are indeed active and making characters. Though another downside to not showing ic boards is you do lose quite a few people who won't join sites until they see the quality of the ic posts (but I guess you lose someone somewhere no matter what) XD.

As for the theme, there's a very fine line between charmingly clean and bland. The real problem with having a theme thats rather simple, as I said above, is that because of where the naruto series is as a whole, naruto rps are having to compete more for members lol. With v5 codes I recommend checking out the template library, most of them are very simple and the people walk you through changing things step by step XD as for overhauling the theme / layout / graphics (since you said its not something you're the best in) you could always requests a theme and some custom mods in the request boards here on pb support (if your ify about that I could recommend one or two resource sites that offer a wider variety of premade themes / templates & Who also take requests - though the people in the request boards here are generally pretty quick and talented) XD

I figured it was more of a member driven site, though if you do have a base setting / plot its a good idea to have it in your information board (not just your advert), having it in your ad is good if that's how a guest finds the site, but a huge amount of traffic is from word of mouth, so those guests may miss out on that information XD

[TVC]

Thanks for the feedback! Can you link the graphic section here?

[URBAN]

Mar 3, 2015 23:30:59 GMT -8 TVC said:

Thanks for the feedback! Can you link the graphic section here?

THEME - theme request board on here
TEMPLATE - template request board on here
GRAPHIC DESIGN - graphic request board on here

Hope those help XD

If / after you update the site, yyou're welcome to tag me here again,
I'd be happy to review it again

[TVC]

Thanks for the feedback! I've made more boards viewable. I'll get to requesting some cool graphics.

[URBAN]

Mar 4, 2015 0:12:13 GMT -8 TVC said:

Thanks for the feedback! I've made more boards viewable. I'll get to requesting some cool graphics.

Sounds cool!
Like I said, feel free to tag me again after you get things updated! I'll happily review the site again lol

[TVC]

Bump.