Make Forum Inviting for Casual Surfers

**LinkBliss** · 04-13-2007, 05:11 PM

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

**Brandon Sheley** · 04-13-2007, 07:59 PM

free snickers bars, works for me :p

**eric** · 04-13-2007, 11:32 PM

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

**Caddyman** · 04-14-2007, 12:05 PM

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

**Brandon Sheley** · 04-14-2007, 01:15 PM

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

**LinkBliss** · 04-14-2007, 01:42 PM

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

**Brandon Sheley** · 04-14-2007, 01:53 PM

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!

**Caddyman** · 04-14-2007, 01:56 PM

^^ 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.

**peterpigman** · 04-14-2007, 02:45 PM

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brandon

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!

That does help.

**James** · 04-19-2007, 08:57 PM

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.

**Caddyman** · 04-20-2007, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James

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.

very important, if it looks like a ghost town, people dont want to talk to themselves

Quote:

Originally Posted by James

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.

those big forums are usually established from year back when styles weren't prevalent. they had no need t update because as established the content and community (everyone knows everyone) keep it active and relavent. As a new forum you will have to do everything you can to be better then a more established competitor, so you better have a good sharp look.

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

i did this, and it worked out great :bouncy-blue:

**peterpigman** · 04-20-2007, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James

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.

Saddam Hussein getting executed helped us a lot lol. If our server hadn't crashed (as usual) We would have had an awesome week. Getting interesting things put on digg always helps though.

**Brandon Sheley** · 04-20-2007, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterpigman

Saddam Hussein getting executed helped us a lot lol. If our server hadn't crashed (as usual) We would have had an awesome week. Getting interesting things put on digg always helps though.

I bet that did help out your site, you have an interesting niche to say the least..lol

**RedMatrix** · 04-20-2007, 11:06 PM

What niche? Where's your siggy?

**peterpigman** · 04-20-2007, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedMatrix

What niche? Where's your siggy?

Uncover Reality We have a mix of nasty/funny/gore/crap.

**RedMatrix** · 04-20-2007, 11:11 PM

Wholy...Chitlins! I may never leave your site!

**Brandon Sheley** · 04-21-2007, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedMatrix

Wholy...Chitlins! I may never leave your site!

this is how I look when checking out peter's site..lol

Blub · 04-21-2007, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brandon

free snickers bars, works for me :p

LOL! why not mars? :P

**Caddyman** · 04-21-2007, 06:27 PM

i linked peters site on a site im on, peter, watch for hits from insiderforums

**peterpigman** · 04-22-2007, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caddyman

i linked peters site on a site im on, peter, watch for hits from insiderforums

Cool, Ty. I know the content is wierd but a lot of people are curious about things like that.

**ARealRedneck** · 04-22-2007, 02:04 AM

I will have to check that site after while, it does look interesting. I just have to wait for the wife to leave she does not like sites like that.

**LinkBliss** · 09-18-2007, 07:52 AM

Thanks for this post. Sorry I didn't follow up on my question until now! But this is what I was looking for... thanks! I will use it on my boards at MapPoint Forums - MapPoint 2006, MWS, and Virtual Earth Discussion and WindyChat.com

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brandon

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!

:elefant: