Discussion: Forum Makeovers

[Enchant]

Do you think it is necessary to occassionally give your forum a makeover? Do you think it is necessary to do so, when you have multiple skins? I have seen changes from colors, designs, content to going so far as a name change.

In my opinion, change is good. Many times I have seen a forum die out, because the admin felt that nothing needed to be changed or that having multiple skins for its members was sufficient. The common thought of " if it isn't broke, don't fix it" seems to be a reason not to as well. I think on occassion, this might be true, however....I think that a forum can get dull and uninteresting if it never has nothing new to offer.

I often change my layout, at least once a year...the main reason is, at first it is original, but after awhile, other forums start looking like it. I like to have my forum unique....What are your thoughts?

[kelendria]

I do mine about every three-six months, & for my particular subject (music) I feel I need to change it every so often.
I can't speak for others but I guess you may not be in a hurry to change a graphic forum or an HP one, but for returning visitors it gives them something refreshing to look at.
I tend to change mine based on a season, event or even a light to dark or vice versa.
I have plenty of other skins to choose from so if they don't like the default, I let them know they can change it any time!
And I'm always open to suggestions if something is not liked or can't be seen.

[HoudiniDerek]

I think that forum makeovers are fine things. My problem with them is that admins seem to ONLY care about that. They open a forum and only a few days later it seems they are on to Version 2 and so on and so forth. Sometimes the changes are drastic and sometimes they merely add another skin.

Personally, I see nothing wrong with adding a new skin every so often and maybe upgrade something from a member suggestion if it has merit. Why not do that on a consistent basis and give the members options rather than completely redoing the site? I have seen several sites where the continuous upgrade causes members to get fed up because it feels like the place is always undergoing a change.

I think it is great that people want their forum to stand out and be unique, but how will people know it is unique at any time if you keep changing the format and such? I think that if you HAVE to change and update your forum drastically, it should ONLY be once a year so people have time to appreciate the forum for its CONTENT as well as its appearance.

[kelendria]

I totally hear you about people making Version 2 shortly after it's up and running, I've never understood that!
I don't tend to take my forum offline because I usually make them before hand, any time you're in Maintenance Mode, I personally believe, can potentially scare members off cos they probably 'can't be bothered' to come back!
I also add things to the forum as & when I feel the need, I let people know the changes but I'm not bothered about bragging about 'new layout 1, 2, 3' etc

[Gamoc]

I like to change things on my forum every couple of months or so. Try to get a different skin, and rearrange the boards to be better organized. When things start going down, I like to make a new skin, that tends to spark up more activity on the account of my current members. If you can, I would definetely suggest using the different headers/footers for different skins. That can give your users more variety. It is smart to make alternative skins specifically for users to use as, well, an alternative.

Adding stuff
You can also try adding new features, too. You could use the Create your own HTML page code to create pages with information on updates/news for your site/site's theme. Create a link to it in a nice, organized welcome table. It can make things more exciting for your members. You do need to make sure that the HTML pages looks good, too.

Alternative skins
Another really great way to get your members excited is to seperate skin changes into versions. Sort of like an upgrade to your forum, with this, make sure that the new skin looks good, but doesn't resemble the old one too much. With this, you also need to update codes, get some new ones and get rid of old, unneeded ones. Coding can change the design of your forum, depending on the code, that is.

Category Splitters
Category splitters can make your forum look great. Some splitters do different things. Some just split the categories, some split them and add head and base images, and one will put a border around the category connecting to the head and base images. If you have the right image looks, it can add a very good look to your forum. The reason I say to use this is because you can use a different one everytime you change the look of your forum.

Default font
Now it may not be a big thing, but changing the style of your font can seriously make your forum stand out, download a good font, make it the default one, and tell your members that they need to download it also. Fonts that look good with your theme will make a good impression on your members.

[zachwad22]

I personally try to upgrade my own forums into new "versions" around every 5 months or so - it keeps things from getting old, and each version is like a whole new forum, exciting and attention-drawing.

[BluAngel]

I've been wondering about this myself. I made several skins for my board, simple one's really, and haven't changed them out since we started. I have checked my members profiles and discovered which one's were being used and which one's weren't. I had originally had like 15 skins that could be used, and in the past 6 months have tweaked it down to the 5 I saw were the only one's being used.

I try to 'clean up' my board at least every 6 months, moving 0 posts threads to archives, moving threads that haven't been responded to in 1 year to archives, and when possible I try to combine subject areas.

I try to check the codes at least every 6 months and see if I still need each one that I have. I use a test board set up nearly identical to my regular board, so that I can make sure that I don't 'blow up' my regular board. The catagory splitter, I definitly recommend. My members have said it makes it easier to work around the board.

See, now you all have me thinking it's time to create a new skin or two and see if it makes any difference.

[Weasley Twin]

On the subject of Forum Makeovers, I've just given my forum a Makeover, and still in the process of the makeover.

I personally feel that makeovers are a good thing, because not only does it keep your forum fresh it keeps your members interested. However changing your forum too often does have its side effects.

[HoudiniDerek]

bluangelgrrl said:

I've been wondering about this myself. I made several skins for my board, simple one's really, and haven't changed them out since we started. I have checked my members profiles and discovered which one's were being used and which one's weren't. I had originally had like 15 skins that could be used, and in the past 6 months have tweaked it down to the 5 I saw were the only one's being used.

Depending on how varied the topic matter of your forum and how long it has been active, that might be too many. I think having a handful to switch from is good, especially over time. After being around a couple of years, change them up and the like. Show that you are still active and working, but do not overdose the members with changes.

I try to 'clean up' my board at least every 6 months, moving 0 posts threads to archives, moving threads that haven't been responded to in 1 year to archives, and when possible I try to combine subject areas.

That is not a bad idea either, although it might make some members feel as though they cannot post the same thought in a different manner. If they are the exact same, I lock and post the link to another thread. If I think they are different, I leave them both open. I have found that sometimes similar threads spark different conversations.

I agree with tidiness though, but is that really a makeover of the forum?

I try to check the codes at least every 6 months and see if I still need each one that I have. I use a test board set up nearly identical to my regular board, so that I can make sure that I don't 'blow up' my regular board. The catagory splitter, I definitly recommend. My members have said it makes it easier to work around the board.

Good idea.

See, now you all have me thinking it's time to create a new skin or two and see if it makes any difference.

I think it always comes down to being active on the forum itself over trying to make it pretty and attractive. If the members want to be there, then they will be there for the forum, rarely for the skins and such. Granted, it is good to have some variety and change it every now and then, but it should not be going on all the time or you risk people thinking you are only there to gain affiliates and members and not really there to build community around the forum topic.

[The Packle]

I personally think its a good idea to have a makeover for your forum. Not everyone will like one skin but maybe will like the other. My forum has 5 or 6 current skins that everyone uses. I add a new skin every now and then to keep a pace of my forum cause of it getting bigger.

I change the layout every once in a while as well. I get suggestions and work on them or I will add something new the the forums.

Makeover is good to making a good forum. Have a good makeover, you will get members. Have a bad makeover, you probbably wont get a whole lot.

[HoudiniDerek]

dragonexv3 said:

I personally think its a good idea to have a makeover for your forum. Not everyone will like one skin but maybe will like the other. My forum has 5 or 6 current skins that everyone uses. I add a new skin every now and then to keep a pace of my forum cause of it getting bigger.

I change the layout every once in a while as well. I get suggestions and work on them or I will add something new the the forums.

Makeover is good to making a good forum. Have a good makeover, you will get members. Have a bad makeover, you probbably wont get a whole lot.

I agree that forums need makeovers from time to time. I especially agree with taking suggestions from the members. In fact, when I rate forums, I always say that there should be an advice board so the members feel they have input too. Then, after a while, make changes on those suggestions that seem to appeal to most of the members and see how that works. I just think that some of the makeovers are done in excess.

[Enchant]

dragonexv3 said:

I personally think its a good idea to have a makeover for your forum. Not everyone will like one skin but maybe will like the other. My forum has 5 or 6 current skins that everyone uses. I add a new skin every now and then to keep a pace of my forum cause of it getting bigger.

I change the layout every once in a while as well. I get suggestions and work on them or I will add something new the the forums.

Makeover is good to making a good forum. Have a good makeover, you will get members. Have a bad makeover, you probbably wont get a whole lot.

I too like to get input from my members....I think that they are the community and should have some say as to what should be done...

[Bob]

I, like most, feel that change is good. However, changing the template too often is a turn off for me. I think a skin, if it's quality, should be kept between 6 to 8 months at a minimum. Good skins should last at least that long. Granted, some events warrant a sooner change but that's different.

As for Pikablu's idea of non-web standard fonts. I'm a web developer at heart; my practices lie in creating web pages. So I care a lot about standards and practicality for the end-users (the people view your web pages). So that's why I disapprove of using fonts that the user would have to download. If you're going to go that route, make sure the skin looks equally appealing in a standard font and have the option of downloading the different font.

[bluefiredevil]

Yes I think a make over from time to time can be good for the site appearance, however like most I don't think it should be done constantly. Minor changes can also make all the difference, like say for example you have a banner and icons done on paint, and you can get better ones on a better graphic program like photoshop or gfx, then I say go for it.

In a long amount of time an upgrade can be well earn, sooner than that I think if you want to try another look go for a second skin, and if the new skin don't work get rid of it. If the upgrades don't appeal to the massive go back to what you had before. But of course a skin is only 1/4 of what makes a good site, some times you don't have to make a yearly upgrade because people may just like it the way it is. But minor changes every now and then can works wonder. But always remember what the massive amount of people think about the skin outweighs the few that don't agree, at least in my head.

[xtina8]

i think having a forum make over is really essential lol...i had a forum and it's been 3 mos now since i have set it up..and i think i've changed the skin, the banner and the contents like 8 or more times already..btw that board wasnt a proboard..my proboard..has just been set up