[HOW-TO] Make your Welcome Headers an image!

**CMartucci** · 12-17-2007, 12:22 PM

Well I was worried about keyword relevancy. Because without my header, my keyword relevancy is like 38%. But there's a lot of content so I guess that's okay...

**Brandon Sheley** · 12-17-2007, 01:18 PM

The forum descriptions are a great place to stuff keywords in.

**joshbond** · 12-18-2007, 07:34 PM

Whats the ideal width of the image for a site that isn't fixed?

800?

I'm trying to get this installed on Photochopz.com - Photoshop forum and contests

Thanks.

**Syrus XL Media** · 12-18-2007, 11:54 PM

A 'fluid' width I would use a sliced image, with the middle main image centered. That way it will 'self-adjust' over a 'fluid' width and won't look out of place.

Just an idea!

**Rocket 442** · 12-19-2007, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CMartucci

Do you think anyone can do something better with what I whipped up?

PolitiCity - Political Debate Forums

I think it looks...fuzzy..and doesn't match as well as I would like. And it's not very visually appealing.

If you're using photoshop, easy way to make it look like actual on page text is to change the anti-aliasing method (pulldown up top when there is text as your current layer) to none.

**CMartucci** · 12-20-2007, 04:40 PM

Thanks, I like it better without the smoothing. Like I said, it looked fuzzy when compared to the regular forum font. Though I'd still like it if someone could make something for me that's more visually appealing.

**Rocket 442** · 12-20-2007, 04:51 PM

I might be able to help you tomorrow when I get back to my desktop

**CMartucci** · 12-20-2007, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocket 442

I might be able to help you tomorrow when I get back to my desktop

That'd be nice.

**Pirat3** · 12-21-2007, 01:21 PM

Cool thanks for good tutorial

**Rocket 442** · 12-22-2007, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CMartucci

That'd be nice.

Heres one I did, hope it works.

It's a white background, so if you don't have white as your current background change it to that and see how it looks.

**CMartucci** · 12-23-2007, 05:06 AM

Awesome, that works great, Rocket. Just a few things. Can you make it a PNG with a transparent background? And can you make the "C" capitalized in "PolitiCity"?

And the red/green thing was just for Christmas. The logo is usually red/white. However you can't put white text on a white background, so I guess you can just make it all red or all black.

Thanks so much.

**Rocket 442** · 12-23-2007, 01:28 PM

**CMartucci** · 12-23-2007, 02:56 PM

Lol, really sorry, but the "Join PolitiCity Today" still has the lowercase "C".

**Julio** · 12-29-2007, 07:14 AM

Can someone make me my welcome message. I have it typed out already in a .gif file. I don't have the highlited words that I want because gimp does not let me do it.

I don't know how to do the code thing.

**CMartucci** · 12-29-2007, 07:43 AM

Rocket, I'm guessing you're busy for the holidays. You can just finish the welcome header whenever you're free.

**Magnumutz** · 01-27-2008, 07:51 PM

Pretty nice looking Madden, it blends in nicely.

**Rocket 442** · 02-18-2008, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaddenGods

Incase anyone was wondering if they should use just plain text in their image or try to spruce it up by adding some images, i suggest adding a image or two.

I have had welcome header as a image for 3 weeks, using just plain text with no images gave minimal results, maybe 5 sign ups a week, I've since switched the image, and removed surrounding advertisements and registrations are increased.

http://maddengods.org/register_text.gif <-- New welcome image

You may have to experiment as your particular site may do better with just text. But just figured i'd share a little experiment i did

I do think in some designs the image makes it look better.

However, another thing I really enjoy doing is making the text look like it is actual on-page text by not using any anti-aliasing.

**atcspaul** · 02-18-2008, 03:31 PM

rocket did mine and it not only looks good but i think we will have more members sign up because it is more personal. so helps serps, looks better, and more members it is a win win change

**ctfortner** · 02-27-2008, 07:07 PM

I would be very grateful if someone would be willing to help me out making one for my site. I have attempted at this, but its a little above and beyond me :arg: My camping forum I also like how some i have seen are "clickable" that takes you to the registration page. Thanks! if anyones willing.

**Philosopher** · 03-29-2008, 10:08 PM

Done. Thanks, Brandon

**atcspaul** · 03-31-2008, 06:48 PM

i just changed skins. how do i make my welcome header gif show on the new skin instead of the standard one. thank you

**atcspaul** · 04-01-2008, 11:29 AM

rocket 442 fixed it for me. he is awesome like all the staff here

**Brandon Sheley** · 04-01-2008, 01:41 PM

looks good everyone

**ArnyVee** · 04-22-2008, 05:10 PM

Would you basically have the image made and then do a 'maping' on the image for the "register" and "contact us" links?

**Caddyman** · 04-22-2008, 05:20 PM

yes you would

**ArnyVee** · 04-22-2008, 05:34 PM

Thanks Caddyman!

I have my 'graphic guy' working on one for me. So, I'll 'map' it once I receive the image.

**Kaycee** · 04-26-2008, 08:24 PM

I had this working on vBulletin 3.6.8 but when I upgraded to 3.7.0 RC 4 it won't work any more. I inputted the same html coding into my Guest message under "Notices" but it doesn't come up.

Is there a way to make this work with the new 3.7.0 versions and their Notice system????

By the way - I'm REALLY fed up with all the glitches this new VB version has caused - I've spent about 18 hours trying to fix all my modifications

Edit - working fine now, my mistake!!!

**Cerberus** · 08-10-2008, 07:36 PM

Can anyone say if these work at all? I am just curious on the feedback from welcome headers. I see hardly anyone using them these days.

**ArnyVee** · 08-10-2008, 07:42 PM

I know that I'll be using one in a day or two

And, Chase uses them on TalkDelaware. To me, they are vital to pulling those extra few members in. Just something that catches the eye and makes folks sign up (and maybe click on an add here or there)

**Caddyman** · 08-11-2008, 03:04 AM

no-one uses them cause they are all noobs Blake! :P

, no seriously though, i think they do work and i think they are vital, as arny said, to let people know what your site is about on the first page right off the bat. i can't tell how many times i have left a site cause i had no idea what the site was about.