One thing that will make me exit a forum within seconds is if the text is white and the background is dark. For that matter, almost any forum where the text is lighter than the background is going to make me exit quickly.

I agree with that. Black backgrounds annoy me

That notebook site had me spinning in confusion, but I can't stand default layouts either. I do like the familiarity of the basic forum design, but using the vB default style is just too unimaginative and boring. There are too many sites using it, especially in the vBulletin genre of support forums for vB.

My own vB forum has a custom style, but it is not a one-of-a-kind. I've added some custom touches and added some of my own graphics that blend with the style though, for a more unique look. It's also the only style available to my members because I believe in a branded look. I'm not about to spend the enormous time and effort required to customize more styles for people who spend precious few moments on the site.

So c'mon, Brent, live a little on the edge. Even if you don't change the style, at least change the color scheme to something a bit more unique and design a logo that really "zones in" on your theme as the vBulletin Zone for Webmaster Resources. The most well known zone is the Green Zone -- noted for friendly and secure. Capitalize on that and brand yourself with a logo and icons that reinforce it -- and don't forget the favicon. You can keep it simple and brand it at the same time.

The vB Zone -- the spot every vBulletin Webmaster will want to be.

Jim

Design adds tons of different things to sites. However sites like that notebook site even confuses me so that shall not be an option. But regular vb style is the worst style a person can use. A webmaster shall spend on the design or at least spend money for that if he doesn't know how to do byhimself. If you let your forum with only oclors changed forums and small content there will be no way for you to get new visitors since the competition out there is though as hell.

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I disagree. I have used nothing but the default layout (with color changes and a few template tweaks to my likings) and I think it works well. I try to take the defaul vBulletin though and liven it up just a bit with my touches. Like the Footer on all my sites, removing useless information from forumdisplay and showthread like the posting rules and such.

I think if you have a good atmosphere and good content the people really won't care what it looks like as long as it is not horrid.

This site, 3.8 Mustang Message Board - Powered by vBulletin uses the default layout AND colors and is very successful.

Not only you but even vBulletin developers cannot defend that ugly vbulletin table lover templates to me. I both dislike the regular colors and layout with vbulletin.

Of course a good atmosphere is a key factor in a boards success but if a newly build forum wants to achive success they must have a attractive and clean style. Otherwise the webmaster will live his boards success chance to luck because he will have tons of more competitors who have better designs. And people always want to see something different then the regular vb styles...

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What kind of design changes are you discussing? Give me a few examples of forum designs that you like.

I can understand you not liking them but the majority of people seem to not care. Which is the point I was trying to make

Ayyas

Clean , easy to customize , attractive :p

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lol that is a good design. However I still stick by my thought that you can change the colors around and get a good logo and still do just as good with a forum

I agree completely here, and honestly, I am more likely to join a vB forum that isn't heavily skinned and leans more towards the default style. Thats just personal preference. I think it helps because the majority of vB forums out there resemble the default style, so folks know it. When they come to my site, they instanly see that it is "like that other forum I am on that I like" so they instantly know they are familiar with the forum software and won't be turned away thinking they might have to learn another type. I am not sure if all of this makes sense to you, but it does make sense in my head, so I'm good with it.