Member Count vs. Post Count

[Artemis]

Mar 13, 2010 3:40:30 GMT -8 The Dark Knight said:

Not sure how important a role the type of forum plays really. I'd assume that the more number of active members there are, the better it is for the forum.

Unless of course it's someone using the forum to post news articles every day.

In this case the debate is about the forum total, not the amount of active members or how active the boards are. For instance, if someone never deletes inactive members to keep their member count high, would that be a good thing? Because, in contrast, a low member count with a high post count might indicate high levels of activity.

Otherwise, the more active members the better, of course!

[grieves and squick]

Our forum's post-to-member ratio {How many posts the average active member makes} is VERY high. We got about 250 active members which compared to most other large boards is quite small. But we get as many posts as a typical forum with a much bigger active member base. We seem to have trouble accumulating larger amounts of members but over time it has crept up very slowly, and only adding like 5 new members to the active total can significantly increase the activity.

Not sure why this is, but these discussions are a reminder not to ignore the scientific, statistical side of running a forum. I think an interesting side to this discussion might be the cause of a given ratio that remains constant in a forum. Why do some forums have it one way or the other way and what might admins be able to do to make their ratios more whta they want?

[Elyon]

I only consider the number of active members (last log-in only a week ago) when I do the member count. Forums with lots of inactive members (last log-in over two months) just look bad. It shows that the mods are too lazy to delete inactive garbage accounts.

[garth]

You know this is a very tough, If the member count is high and active it may be tough for new members to get comfortable. But if there are not many members but only a few (3-5) members then they all know each other so well. Making it just as difficult for people to get into. Its gotta be the perfect amount ;D

[stopskynet]

I think that post count is a much better indicator of forum health. This is mainly because I've been to many sites with 100 members (or more) with only about a sixth or a fifth of them being active because the admin/mods for whatever reason don't "clean house".

Additionally, some forums require each character have a seperate account which might also artificially inflate numbers (with the opposite approach I guess deflating). Thus, a ratio is good to look at between the age of the board, the number of members and the total number of posts.

[Luke]

I find that looking at the member count doesn't always help. When I go to a forum I look for loads of posts so I can post there. I don't want to be on a forum where theres loads of members but hardly any posts, it makes it look quite weird. I see quite a few forums with around 300+ members but only a few posts but its about the topic I want to be on a forum about. It makes it look as if the admin has been busy making false accounts.

[Tumbleweed]

There are some forums, such as support forums (like here at ProBoards), that typically have a high member base but the posting ratio is very small compared to how many members. Many people join with good intentions but find the info they need and may not return until they need additional info. We absolutely do not delete members for inactivity. We want them to be able to come back anytime to find the support they need. Making them re-register would just add to the stress they are often under when trying to find answers and would likely drive them to go to a site that didn't delete their account. Besides, it is really aggravating to know your account has been deleted. (To me the whole point of registering is so you have quick access to that site when every you get the urge to go there whether it be the next day or a couple months later.)

When I am looking for a site to join (never role-playing) I consider what kind of a site it is. If support based or info based the members and posting ratio mean nothing. If it is a chat type place I do glance at how many active members there are but still don't really care if there aren't a lot of posting members. I do however, look at the what kind of posts are being made even if by just a few members. I note if they seem fun to be around, can have serious debates without being rude and if they seem friendly to outsiders. I look at how often the admin is around and how the admin interacts with the members. That kind of stuff.

One thing you can count on. If you delete my account for inactivity, I will never re-register on your site. I want to be a member of a message board that welcomes me back (without re-registering) no matter how long I've been gone. I want to be a member of a site where the door is never slammed in my face. I think I would probably feel the same way if it were a roleplay site. So what if you have a bunch of inactive members as long as you have some active and people are having fun. People need to look past member verses posts because we all know that that ratio is never going to be even, not even close. If we all know that, why delete inactive members? To me that is childish and petty. Why not keep the door open to everyone no matter what. Be a "welcome back" site and not a "You must be punished for inactivity" site.

[HoudiniDerek]

Apr 16, 2010 10:42:51 GMT -8 Tumbleweed said:

There are some forums, such as support forums (like here at ProBoards), that typically have a high member base but the posting ratio is very small compared to how many members. Many people join with good intentions but find the info they need and may not return until they need additional info. We absolutely do not delete members for inactivity. We want them to be able to come back anytime to find the support they need. Making them re-register would just add to the stress they are often under when trying to find answers and would likely drive them to go to a site that didn't delete their account. Besides, it is really aggravating to know your account has been deleted. (To me the whole point of registering is so you have quick access to that site when every you get the urge to go there whether it be the next day or a couple months later.)

Agreed. I can see that on forums that are similar to this one and I think the type of forum is a good way to judge how to look at the statistics of the site.

When I am looking for a site to join (never role-playing) I consider what kind of a site it is. If support based or info based the members and posting ratio mean nothing. If it is a chat type place I do glance at how many active members there are but still don't really care if there aren't a lot of posting members. I do however, look at the what kind of posts are being made even if by just a few members. I note if they seem fun to be around, can have serious debates without being rude and if they seem friendly to outsiders. I look at how often the admin is around and how the admin interacts with the members. That kind of stuff.

Agreed again. If I look at a site with only a couple of members and a few posts, but they seem to be a good bunch of people and the topic is interesting, I'm more likely to join. Plus, the addition of new people that look for that dynamic can lead to more members and higher post counts naturally.

One thing you can count on. If you delete my account for inactivity, I will never re-register on your site. I want to be a member of a message board that welcomes me back (without re-registering) no matter how long I've been gone. I want to be a member of a site where the door is never slammed in my face. I think I would probably feel the same way if it were a roleplay site. So what if you have a bunch of inactive members as long as you have some active and people are having fun. People need to look past member verses posts because we all know that that ratio is never going to be even, not even close. If we all know that, why delete inactive members? To me that is childish and petty. Why not keep the door open to everyone no matter what. Be a "welcome back" site and not a "You must be punished for inactivity" site.

I agree and disagree. I mainly disagree in the RP arena, but you said you never join those. ;D

I agree that a person should be able to feel like they can come home. On my forum, I have a clause stating that there are activity checks, but I don't follow through. I state it because I want them to try and be involved. To my mind, if a person posts even once, there is the belief they might come back. Of course, if a person never activates their account and it has been ten years, I might consider deleting. I believe that you should always give people a chance.

[Ara (Crow)]

Apr 12, 2010 8:28:27 GMT -8 garth said:

You know this is a very tough, If the member count is high and active it may be tough for new members to get comfortable. But if there are not many members but only a few (3-5) members then they all know each other so well. Making it just as difficult for people to get into. Its gotta be the perfect amount ;D

But what exactly is the perfect amount? Some people like those heavily crowded sites, where they'll end up thinking they never have to wait for a post, and don't care about ties to other members, they just want to use the site for what's it's made for: posting and discussing topics with others.

Other people, like myself, prefer those, small and new sites that you said some don't like, it lets me get to know others better, and I can know what to expect from them. Posting amount doesn't matter to me, as long as you enjoy the people your around, but with other's it's the complete opposite

.

[videogamefreak999]

I tend to look at member count more than anything else. Seriously, if the forum does not have a lot of members, the post count is going to by sky - low unless someone posts a lot. Now, by a lot of members, i'm talking about 10, 20, at least an amount where the forum can be considered interesting. However, post count can sometimes be critical. If the forum has 1,000,000 posts, it is very popular, but a forum with only about 10 posts is sort of deserted. But a low post count does not mean that it is inactive.

But then again, if a forum has many members most that are actually inactive, then that can be pretty bad.

So in general, I look at both, but more of active member count.

Connor

[ForumPromotion.net]

Apr 15, 2010 21:08:29 GMT -8 Luke said:

I find that looking at the member count doesn't always help. When I go to a forum I look for loads of posts so I can post there. I don't want to be on a forum where theres loads of members but hardly any posts, it makes it look quite weird. I see quite a few forums with around 300+ members but only a few posts but its about the topic I want to be on a forum about. It makes it look as if the admin has been busy making false accounts.

I totally agree with you, Luke.
But i think post count is more important, and there are sites out there like that...

[Patrick [ASE]]

Apr 17, 2010 17:15:54 GMT -8 ForumPromotion.net said:

Apr 15, 2010 21:08:29 GMT -8 Luke said:

I find that looking at the member count doesn't always help. When I go to a forum I look for loads of posts so I can post there. I don't want to be on a forum where theres loads of members but hardly any posts, it makes it look quite weird. I see quite a few forums with around 300+ members but only a few posts but its about the topic I want to be on a forum about. It makes it look as if the admin has been busy making false accounts.

I totally agree with you, Luke.
But i think post count is more important, and there are sites out there like that...

Please explain why you think postcount is more important, rules state you should put more than a couple of lines

[Gizzy's Girl]

I've never actually thought about comparing the member and post counts. Now you say about it, it makes a lot of sense. Still, I agree with what a lot of people have said above; I'm more interested in active members than overall member count. I know from experience that some people just join up then never come back. Although it boosts the member count, I find that can, in itself, be offputting to new members.

I find, if guests see that the last registered member has become an active, posting member of the community, it inspires them to join and do the same. Whereas if the last registered member hasn't been active since joining, it can reflect badly on the forum in general. What they say is true; first impressions matter.

Apart from that, I have to agree that I think post count is more important than member count. I like posting as often as possible, and if there's a high post count, it gives the impression that other people feel the same. It's always good to join a community of like minded people.

[Cyber Necrovalley]

I like to check the number of posts a forum has...it gives me a general idea of how active the forum is. Of course, if the forum is older I also check the active users, because it could have been popular before, and now it isn't as active but still has the accumulation of previous posts.

[garth]

Apr 16, 2010 16:20:19 GMT -8 Ara (Crow) said:

Apr 12, 2010 8:28:27 GMT -8 garth said:

You know this is a very tough, If the member count is high and active it may be tough for new members to get comfortable. But if there are not many members but only a few (3-5) members then they all know each other so well. Making it just as difficult for people to get into. Its gotta be the perfect amount ;D

But what exactly is the perfect amount? Some people like those heavily crowded sites, where they'll end up thinking they never have to wait for a post, and don't care about ties to other members, they just want to use the site for what's it's made for: posting and discussing topics with others.

Other people, like myself, prefer those, small and new sites that you said some don't like, it lets me get to know others better, and I can know what to expect from them. Posting amount doesn't matter to me, as long as you enjoy the people your around, but with other's it's the complete opposite

.

I personally love the small new sites. It really lets you get to know your admin, and is the reason I hate joining a few month old sites where everyone already knows each other and your the new kid in school. You make friends with one or two people but eventually you just lose interest. High amount of members as always been a problem with me when it comes to joining, depending on the site.
If it were a Star Wars RP site and it was massive (100-150) I would think twice of joining, but would probably join because odds are I may only RP with a few people and if I ever wanted to switch up I could.
But when it comes to those medieval fantasy sites I would much rather prefer the four or six people. Building character relationship around my characters friends maybe meeting one or two people down the road. In my opinion its all about what the site is about.