The title says it. Are there some strategies for making a vBulletin forum inviting for the casual surfer who just comes across the site to register?

I know there's lots of advice out there for making a forum a really community and fertilizing that.

But what if you think about just the intial "conversion", how can I convert casual surfers into registrations (short of giving out money :-)?

Anyone got some ideas on a pitch or strategy to get people to register? The reason I ask is that typically when I go to my site I see that there are 24 or so guests and one registered user.. - me.

Thanks in advance for any advance!

Eric

--------------------
Direct Link Ads - Best Payouts for Publishers - Very Effective Distributed Links for Advertisers
MapPoint - Windy City - MapPoint 2009

free snickers bars, works for me :p

--------------------

Post your URL and a link to your vb.com username here to get full access.

Add our Facebook Blog, Group and LinkedIn group.. Thanks

Stay up to date by installing our Tool Bar

mmmm why didn't I get mine ? Was I nasty the first day ???

--------------------

Aeroclix -- DistantHost link directory
Domains hosting, server rent... -- Distant-Help link directory

you have to grab them immediately

a good looking skin visually usually will get them to stop for a bit

if they stop

they may read the welcome header, if you dont have the hack from .org installed, do it and customize it and make it catchy and enticing

DO NOT close the board to guests, some people think it will "force" the user to register, IMO not true, it would turn me and i think most away.

main thing is getting them interested immediately. and fully explain what you have to offer and good reasons for them to stay

--------------------
Philly Sports
Delaware Online
PA Forums

I've Never been a fan of private boards

or the popup registration.

I agree that a nice style and a welcome panel that explains what the site is about

-Bs

--------------------

Post your URL and a link to your vb.com username here to get full access.

Add our Facebook Blog, Group and LinkedIn group.. Thanks

Stay up to date by installing our Tool Bar

Thanks. All makes a lot of sense. I know the vBulletin software and vBSEO does all the hard work for us, it's just the last mile we must do for ourselves.

"if you dont have the hack from .org installed, do it and customize it"

What is the hack from .org? Sorry I do have a smallishly active vB site but I'm a newbie on this stuff.

Thanks!
Eric

--------------------
Direct Link Ads - Best Payouts for Publishers - Very Effective Distributed Links for Advertisers
MapPoint - Windy City - MapPoint 2009

This hack

Welcome headers - Improve community registration rates - vBulletin.org Forum

and then read this to customize it

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

--------------------

Post your URL and a link to your vb.com username here to get full access.

Add our Facebook Blog, Group and LinkedIn group.. Thanks

Stay up to date by installing our Tool Bar

^^ yes

and i agree on the popup registration. you dont want to make the guest feel bombarded or feel forced into registering. Your conversion should be based on the merit of the content.

--------------------
Philly Sports
Delaware Online
PA Forums

I just added a php code for marquee and it has gone down a storm lol. Strange how little things can make a big difference.

That does help.

--------------------
Uncover Reality

You have to give them a reason to join, not just the standard vB header, i.e. share PM's, post threads crap. Personalize it, make them want to join.

Also, make sure you are posting daily, new threads and post. They need something to read, if there is nothing new to read, there is no reason to join.

I do agree that a nice style can help, but it’s not everything. Some of the biggest forums are still using a stock vB forum with just some css changes and that didn’t affect there forums. It was done because they had a good topic and people were posting things.

If your forum is slow, why not ask some of your friends and family join.

--------------------
My Updated Blog