Question on best way to topic structure a large site forum - GoFuckYourself.com

KRL · 02-22-2004, 03:25 PM

Do you think its better having one large general forum or to have a wide array of sub forums by topic.

I've been researching a lot of forum boards and it seems most people gravitate to the general discussion section even when you have lots of sub-topics.

I'm thinking just one large forum works best.

Your thoughts?

candyflip · 02-22-2004, 03:28 PM

This site has the most catefories and sub-categories of any board I frequent. As long as people are able to find what want easily, I don't think it matters.

You'll always have one spot where most people congregate regardless of how many topics you've got.

http://vwvortex.com/

Holly · 02-22-2004, 03:31 PM

Start it off as one large forum to build members, then "spin-off" other forums, as members request them.

KRL · 02-22-2004, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Holly
Start it off as one large forum to build members, then "spin-off" other forums, as members request them.

Good idea.

KRL · 02-22-2004, 03:33 PM

Also, do you think its better to have one integrated forum or separated men's forum, women's forum's, gay forum's?

Raven · 02-22-2004, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KRL
Do you think its better having one large general forum or to have a wide array of sub forums by topic.

I've been researching a lot of forum boards and it seems most people gravitate to the general discussion section even when you have lots of sub-topics.

I'm thinking just one large forum works best.

Your thoughts?

I think the amount of topics is determined by you and the flavour of the forum you want to run.

If you want to encourage newbies, then have a newbie section, so they don't feel like they're going to be eaten by the sharks.

If you want to encourage traffic trades, it's a lot neater to have its own topic section.

I'm all for one general area for most boards, unless they are resource sites; in which case, I would probably have more than one topic.

Raven · 02-22-2004, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Holly
Start it off as one large forum to build members, then "spin-off" other forums, as members request them.

Excellent.

Basic_man · 02-22-2004, 03:37 PM

I think you're right!

KRL · 02-22-2004, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Raven

I think the amount of topics is determined by you and the flavour of the forum you want to run.

If you want to encourage newbies, then have a newbie section, so they don't feel like they're going to be eaten by the sharks.

If you want to encourage traffic trades, it's a lot neater to have its own topic section.

I'm all for one general area for most boards, unless they are resource sites; in which case, I would probably have more than one topic.

This is for surfers not webmasters.

Raven · 02-22-2004, 03:41 PM

Having run a surfer board for many years, I did what Holly suggested.

General, at first...and, then I added topics, based on surfer requests and what I could see interested them.

Holly · 02-22-2004, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KRL
Also, do you think its better to have one integrated forum or separated men's forums, women's forums, gay forum's?

I guess I could see how you might want to separate those, since many of the topics will be unique.

Females will take a whole forum and be happy with it. Same with gay guys. But imo, from what I've seen, any good "men's" forum, usually depends on having females there. ;-}

KRL · 02-22-2004, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Holly
I guess I could see how you might want to separate those, since many of the topics will be unique.

Females will take a whole forum and be happy with it. Same with gay guys. But imo, from what I've seen, any good "men's" forum, usually depends on having females there. ;-}

Well I'm thinking if I leave the doors open to all 3 the men will pop into the women's forum also as well as the guys forum.

Holly · 02-22-2004, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KRL

Well I'm thinking if I leave the doors open to all 3 the men will pop into the women's forum also as well as the guys forum.

Yeah, I guess it depends on the flavor of the board/forum and what path it's pushed towards. If the "women" board turns into a mommy/child raising deal, the men won't join in, I would think.

Maybe have a "singles/dating" board? Or even call it the "mingle" board, where the married people will get in on it too. I guess that's basically a general forum, but having something for people who are definitely looking, or even for the married men who want to just flirt, might be good.

BRISK · 02-22-2004, 03:57 PM

one large general forum

CyberTraffic · 02-22-2004, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KRL
Do you think its better having one large general forum or to have a wide array of sub forums by topic.

I've been researching a lot of forum boards and it seems most people gravitate to the general discussion section even when you have lots of sub-topics.

I'm thinking just one large forum works best.

Your thoughts?

KRL, I have an offer for you if you're interested.

KRL · 02-22-2004, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CyberTraffic
KRL, I have an offer for you if you're interested.

Always will look at opportunities.

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Paul · 02-22-2004, 04:29 PM

Quote:

I'm thinking just one large forum works best

I agree, as someone said above. When your forum grows then you can add new categories, if you start off with too many categories it could be difficult to get the forum growing.

Maybe check out some of the smaller boards listed on http://www.big-boards.com and see how the small forums are doing with lots of categories. Usually forums that begin with too many categories don't seem to do too well

Good luck

KRL · 02-22-2004, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Coatsy

Maybe check out some of the smaller boards listed on http://www.big-boards.com and see how the small forums are doing with lots of categories. Usually forums that begin with too many categories don't seem to do too well

Good luck

Thanks for that link!!!!

KRL · 02-22-2004, 05:02 PM

Wow. One board on there has 75 Million posts.

Paul · 02-22-2004, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KRL

Thanks for that link!!!!

Your welcome

KRL · 02-22-2004, 05:08 PM

http://www.ratemybody.com/forum/default.aspx

This one is broken down nicely especially having the rate my pic sections.

Jer · 02-22-2004, 05:24 PM

Nice thread, I'm glad I clicked it. Found a link that I have forgotten about and it's usefull for a project I'm working on.

KRL · 02-22-2004, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jer
Nice thread, I'm glad I clicked it. Found a link that I have forgotten about and it's usefull for a project I'm working on.

Nothing cooler then finding new links!

02-22-2004, 03:25 PM	#1
KRL Entrepreneur Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: USA Posts: 31,429	Question on best way to topic structure a large site forum Do you think its better having one large general forum or to have a wide array of sub forums by topic. I've been researching a lot of forum boards and it seems most people gravitate to the general discussion section even when you have lots of sub-topics. I'm thinking just one large forum works best. Your thoughts? __________________ If you would like to develop your domains, you can lease inexpensive foreign labor from the leaders in the field at iWebmasters.com TO LOWER YOUR COSTS AND INCREASE YOUR PRODUCTION! * * * * * * * * * * * * Domains Adult News KRL's Newsletter Biz Tips Just Listed Domains

02-22-2004, 03:28 PM	#2
candyflip Carpe Visio Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: New York Posts: 43,064	This site has the most catefories and sub-categories of any board I frequent. As long as people are able to find what want easily, I don't think it matters. You'll always have one spot where most people congregate regardless of how many topics you've got. http://vwvortex.com/ __________________ Spend you some brain. Email Me

02-22-2004, 03:31 PM	#3
Holly Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Jesusland Posts: 10,017	Start it off as one large forum to build members, then "spin-off" other forums, as members request them. __________________ War National Damn Champions Eagle

02-22-2004, 03:33 PM	#5
KRL Entrepreneur Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: USA Posts: 31,429	Also, do you think its better to have one integrated forum or separated men's forum, women's forum's, gay forum's? __________________ If you would like to develop your domains, you can lease inexpensive foreign labor from the leaders in the field at iWebmasters.com TO LOWER YOUR COSTS AND INCREASE YOUR PRODUCTION! * * * * * * * * * * * * Domains Adult News KRL's Newsletter Biz Tips Just Listed Domains

02-22-2004, 03:37 PM	#8
Basic_man Programming King Pin Industry Role: Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Montreal Posts: 27,360	I think you're right! __________________ UUGallery Builder - automated photo/video gallery plugin for Wordpress! Stop looking! Checkout Naked Hosting, online since 1999 !

02-22-2004, 03:41 PM	#10
Raven Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 6,874	Having run a surfer board for many years, I did what Holly suggested. General, at first...and, then I added topics, based on surfer requests and what I could see interested them. __________________ Raven ~RETIRED~

02-22-2004, 03:57 PM	#14
BRISK Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 12,240	one large general forum __________________ I post on GFY so that when people ask me what I do, I can tell them that I work with the mentally retarded.

02-22-2004, 05:02 PM	#19
KRL Entrepreneur Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: USA Posts: 31,429	Wow. One board on there has 75 Million posts. __________________ If you would like to develop your domains, you can lease inexpensive foreign labor from the leaders in the field at iWebmasters.com TO LOWER YOUR COSTS AND INCREASE YOUR PRODUCTION! * * * * * * * * * * * * Domains Adult News KRL's Newsletter Biz Tips Just Listed Domains

02-22-2004, 05:08 PM	#21
KRL Entrepreneur Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: USA Posts: 31,429	http://www.ratemybody.com/forum/default.aspx This one is broken down nicely especially having the rate my pic sections. __________________ If you would like to develop your domains, you can lease inexpensive foreign labor from the leaders in the field at iWebmasters.com TO LOWER YOUR COSTS AND INCREASE YOUR PRODUCTION! * * * * * * * * * * * * Domains Adult News KRL's Newsletter Biz Tips Just Listed Domains

02-22-2004, 05:24 PM	#22
Jer God is Brazilian Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Brazil Posts: 10,601	Nice thread, I'm glad I clicked it. Found a link that I have forgotten about and it's usefull for a project I'm working on.