Review GeekZone

[Namoh]

Hello everyone, would like to get a review of my forum. What you feel about the style, layout, content etc. Anything would be appreciated. Thanks!

URL: geekzone.io

Category: All things geek (gaming, coding, graphics, tech etc)

Description: GeekZone is a community dedicated to coding, graphics, technology and much more.

 

[ulterios]

Your site looks nice, clean and has a modern style. I think the main thing is just to get more members and posts.

You also might want to be careful with serving AdSense ads on your site. They are picky sometimes about having enough quality content. I have been a member at forums that got their AdSense account shut down because of it. That's why many forums won't put AdSense on thier forums. You also have no privacy policy that I could find and that's a requirement for AdSense sites.

I would say that doing some blog post articles for and about the site and promoting them will help. The main thing is getting the exposure needed to grow the site.

Good Luck

 

[Namoh]

Namoh

Very true, I'll get on that privacy policy asap. Actually they reviewed my site and allowed me to use it (AdSense). On the other subject I've been looking for some blogs where I could do a guest article or something similar but most of them decline me because I am small and there is no benefit there for them. Unless you had something else in mind?

 

[sclaeys]

I liked it so much that I am planning to sign up!

 

[Hawker]

Nice domain name for starters. Site looks okay for what it is tbh, I see you're using a modern forum software, seems to have all the bells n' whistles that most must have these days.

I see you have a bunch of forums created already but none on gaming? I though geeks were BIG gamers so it would make sense to have forums for gaming? Like PC gaming, console gaming, modding etc etc

The above portion of the fold appears to be a little lite but less is more sometimes I guess.

You could probably do well by putting some forum stats on the bottom such as amount of members, total amount of threads, replies etc etc that kind of thing geeks go all geeky over.

So yeah, for a site that is called "Geek Zone" its not geeky enough IMHO but all in good time.

 

[Namoh]

Namoh

Thanks for the review Hawker.

We decided not to open all sections at once because empty nodes can kill any forum. Better to start smaller and later advance the gaming section once we have users and people that suggest it. Right now we only have a Gaming section under Entertainment.

As for the statistics, you can see them here:

And here:

Unless you were refering to something else?

Thanks

 

[Ron Killian]

I think it looks real nice. Clean and modern. Alot of red, but guess it's not bad.

One suggestion... maybe tell people what the forum is about like below the header. Geek for tech? Geek for websites? Geek for games? Geek could have many sides. Or it's geek everything? Sure you know, focus can help a great deal. just don't "get" what it's about.

 

[Namoh]

Namoh

The "Stay Geeky" tagline that we have is ment to include everything geeks love, however we expand as we get members because it's not a good idea to create a bunch of sections if there is no one to fill it. So we will open more geeky sections as we go.

 

[Developer]

In response to Ron Killian's post, you said:
"The "Stay Geeky" tagline that we have is ment to include everything geeks love" ...

In all honesty, it obviously isn't working if others don't get it, LOL. I second Rons suggestion to come up with
something catchier... But, that is just MY opinion, take it as you will.

In response to Hawker's post, you stated:
"Better to start smaller and later advance the gaming section once we have users and people that suggest it." ...

Since gaming is one of THE hottest things, wouldn't it make sense to get that section up and running and then
even if you had to, post a slew of fake posts yourself, just to get things rolling. Gaming, as well know, is extremely
hot, so, if you have the section there, chances are great that it will not stay empty for long, especially if you are
actively promoting the site.

 

[Namoh]

Namoh

You make some good points, I'll look into coming up or integrating something more specific to our tagline and perhaps make the Gaming section bigger. Thanks!

 

[Developer]

I am not sure how your forum software works, however, if you'd like, I have a few "gaming" related ebooks that I'd be happy to send to you. You could use them as a "Thank You" gift when "guests" become members. Just set it up as a "Registered Member Only" post (if that's possible with XenForo -- not familiar with "XenForo" myself).

ANYWAY...

... I've been looking for some blogs where I could do a guest article or something similar but most of them decline me because I am small and there is no benefit there for them ...

If you are seriously interested in posting articles, I would definitely consider hitting some of the more well-known article sites out there. They're definitely NOT what they used to be, however, they still do work and they do still draw massive attention. Plus, those sites are already known and have huge followings and are constantly indexed by the SE's. And of course, within the bio box, you will definitely want to post something in relation to your forum, adding a link to the main page as well.

And then, once you have a few articles, be sure to "digg" them as well as post a link on FB, Twitter, LinkedIn or any other social media you partake in. Don't be shy about it, let EVERYONE know, using any avenue in your arsenal...

The key is to draw as much attention to the articles, and your forum, as possible. And then, once you start drawing in a decent amount of traffic, do some testing to see what exactly is converting best for you. What method is bringing in the traffic? What types of articles are drawing in the crowds? What SM sites are bringing you the most visitors? Whatever your results reveal -- find a way to RAMP IT UP.

Also, when ever you're approaching the owners of the other blog sites, consider writing up the article in advance and send it with your request. Many will realize how serious you are if they take the time to read the article (and believe it or not, many will -- you just have to write a compelling enough article), they can see exactly what you'll be submitting without all the unnecessary back and forth time wasting hoopla.

 

[Namoh]

Namoh

Thanks for your review.

Thank you! The eBooks would be amazing. Yea, XenForo has a system where only members of certain usergroups can see content.

What article sites do you suggest? I read somewhere that I shouldn't "digg" my own articles.

I'll write some articles beforehand and contant blogs etc ater that is done.

 

[Developer]

Actually, I have a post on one of my blogs which list dozens of
article submission sites. I will look for the post later tonight and
send you the link. To get you started, however, check out the
following:

• [URLnofo]http://ehow.com[/URLnofo]
• [URLnofo]http://articlecity.com[/URLnofo]
• [URLnofo]http://articlealley.com[/URLnofo]
• [URLnofo]http://articlegeek.com[/URLnofo]
• [URLnofo]http://ezinearticles.com[/URLnofo]
• [URLnofo]http://articlesfactory.com[/URLnofo]
• [URLnofo]http://articledashboard.com[/URLnofo]

The sites above are just a few of the hundreds out there. While
you're waiting for me to find my post with the list, you can also
search G for "article submission sites" which should surely give
you enough sites to get you started.

 

[Namoh]

Namoh

Thanks for the list! I'm preparing an article as we speak. Did you manage to find your posts?

 

[Developer]

Yes, sorry. The list is quite old, so, it contains a slew of dead links, however, there are still some winners in there as well.
Once my sites are back online completely, I will update the list, but for now, I've uploaded a copy of the list in a pdf file
so you can sift through them yourself if you want.