vBulletin SEO Optimization Tips

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#101 06-11-2008, 12:34 AM

Join Date: Oct 2007

Posts: 397

Re: vBulletin SEO Optimization Tips

#7 Disable Guest/Unregistered Users from viewing "Who's Online" and "Search" Functions

I understand the point of this from a SEO perspective, but do you guys feel that not having these two functions available to guests on the site hurts new member registration? By that I mean:

1) Guests will potentially use the search feature, and might like what they find on the site. Result will register and stay longer.
2) Guests like to see lots of people online: Result believe its an active forum and register and stay longer

Thoughts?

Last edited by Luigi; 06-11-2008 at 12:37 AM.

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1kether1

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#102 06-11-2008, 08:08 AM

Join Date: Jun 2008

Posts: 49

Location: Arkansas

Re: vBulletin SEO Optimization Tips

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luigi

RE: #1
Take this for what it is worth, but if I *have* to take the time to register to use the search feature of a site, then I am probably interested enough to stay on that site and return. If I can find the information as a guest, then there is no reason to register and take part in the discussion. JMHO.

Cheers,
Bruce

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RVO's OrchidTalk Orchid Forum - "Bringing People Together"
We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors....but they all exist very nicely in the same box.

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Yogesh Sarkar

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#103 06-11-2008, 08:52 AM

Join Date: Feb 2007

Posts: 828

Location: New Delhi, India

Re: vBulletin SEO Optimization Tips

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luigi

I understand the point of this from a SEO perspective, but do you guys feel that not having these two functions available to guests on the site hurts new member registration? By that I mean:

1) Guests will potentially use the search feature, and might like what they find on the site. Result will register and stay longer.
2) Guests like to see lots of people online: Result believe its an active forum and register and stay longer

Thoughts?

I agree with you on the search aspect though I have enabled captcha to ensure that rogue bots don't bring the site down.

With respect to users online, well it can and can not have an effect on registration. However it does put extra stress on your server.

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Luigi

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#104 06-21-2008, 06:38 PM

Join Date: Oct 2007

Posts: 397

Re: vBulletin SEO Optimization Tips

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brandon

5. Move Avatars and Profile Pics to the File System

As with the Attachments above, but the Avatars are on every post, so cause a burden to the server whenever a post is viewed.

To move them to the filesystem, chmod your forums/customavatars and forums/customprofilepics directories to 777.
Go to the AdminCP and expand the Avatars menu.
Click User Picture Storage Type.
Choose to Move Avatars and Profile Pics to the File System.

Avatar Path: /home/*username*/public_html/forums/customavatars

Avatar URL: /forums/customavatars

Profile Pic Path: /home/*username*/public_html/forums/customprofilepics

Profile Pic URL: /forums/customprofilepics

Would you folks recommend moving the signature images to a file system too? I have members that enjoy using signature banners.

-Luigi

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