Ways to drive off traffic from your forum?

I guess the biggest factor is the theme. If it does not look good then it won't be visited and the guest won't register to it.

 

Not just the theme, content is just as important.

 

Well I read some guides and tutorials and they explained and showed what a guest first sees at a site.
Of course the top is first so the Logo and the things around it. Content is also important but i think for a first impression a logo or theme can ether make you want to join the forum or leave.

 

Well it could be for some people (such as the person who wrote it) but for most its content and design.

 

That's another major one because nobody wants to join an inactive forum. Another huge turn off is member's drama - members always bickering and fighting with nothin being done about it. I'd prefer a friendly community over a drama-fested one.

 

Pop up ads, useless posts, horrid theme, and bad grammar.

 

The biggest issue by far would be lack of content.

Bad design and and things like not having a real domain WILL be overlooked by your visitors IF you have great, quality content that the people want.

So if your site or forum suffers from ANY of these problems, I'd work on content first, and THEN work on the other issues.

 

This is frustrating for me as an Admin and a forum member as well. I don't get why people join my board just to lurk. All the contents are there for their viewing pleasure as Guests. It is cheat if you ask me lol