How other websites/forums perform...

[TransAmDan]

Many other websites/forums has been disappearing over the years as more and more people seem to be moving their clubs onto Facebook only. As you all know we are not going that route. so can we improve? if so how... Well looking at forums that seem to be getting bigger, or certainly well known. www.pistonheads.com is huge and well known.

Just got an email from them about some new features on their website.

INTRODUCING OUR ALL NEW FORUM SEARCH AND GTI FORUM SKIN VIEW ONLINE Introducing Forum Search & Skin Update Here at PistonHeads we work continuously on improving the site, making it more enjoyable to use and importantly easier to navigate with such a huge wealth of content. We're excited to announce the launch of our all new forum search functionality. Have you ever wondered if there's a better oil to use in your engine, or where the best driving roads are near you? Well, why not give it a go. Just ask PH!. As part of our site improvements we've also simplified the forums with a new mobile optimised skin, called GTI. If you're currently on the Beta skin or Smiley skin you'll be migrated to GTI automatically, although you can change this at any time. If you're on another skin you can change back and forth to see the difference and we’d love to hear what you think. Just visit your preferences and take a look at the improvements! Why not update your Garage while you're checking out your preferences? We invite PH members to exclusive events and promotions purely based on the cars that they drive. You could be missing out!! We always love to hear your thoughts, so why not drop us a line at info@pistonheads.com or tweet us @PistonHeads. The PH Team © 2015 PISTONHEADS, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED This service message was brought to you by Haymarket Media Group, and sent to © Haymarket Media Group Ltd, Teddington Studios, Broom Road, Teddington TW11 9BE. Registered in England No. 267189 Please do not reply to this message as this email was sent from an unmonitored e-mail address. Please read our privacy policy for more information on how we process your personal information.

The email certainly has a nice appeal to it. Perhaps our event listing could be jazzed up about when we send it out. Also the content of the email has come good features, promoting the website. Like working on mobiles better without using Tapatalk.

Perhaps its something we need to keep up with. Perhaps we don't need to do anything at all.....just thought I'd post to get some ideas rolling...

 

[saleen 192]

And the have used the famous A Team quote (in the search picture)

And GSF ARE GIVING 25% DISCOUNT ON THE WEBSITE wowz

 

[AmericanThunder]

It's a good idea, but it will make the forum much more than just a local thing because growth won't remain exclusive to the Solent region.
I know us interlopers from up North (!) have been welcomed in, and it works because we are prepared to travel to Southern shows. But as the forum grows with more far flung members (maybe more International too?) you will inevitably find people in areas band together. You might also find you need to create groups on the forum for each geographical area, like the pistonheads site does.
Also, as a site grows it will add considerably to the admin. You might have to switch to manual approvals for new members to avoid spammers, and the exposure to hackers means more admin time in terms of patching to keep the web server safe.

It's great, and it would certainly take the forum onto much bigger and better things but I'm sure it will certainly alienate some people too. Just some things to think about.