I want to move my forum to the next level.

My forum has been running now for nearly 7 years, we have just under 15k members.
I want to move my forum to a more professorially run and maintained forum.

Could I possible have some constructive critisisms and thoughts about the forum and it's structure.
I am willing to answer most questions.

http://railways.national-preservation.com

Cheers
Glyn Murray

 

Why don't you get a new design instead of using the default vBulletin one?

 

I think I would have a more customized design and layout. I think I would have a different layout for some of the ads too. It does look like a really interesting forum though. It seems like you could go far with it.

 

I agree that the forum also needs a new design, the header just looks like a bunch of ads. Change the ad size from 728x90 to 468x60 or position it better. Also the google+ and facebook buttons don't look good in the header either. The name is hard to remember as well, maybe re brand your forum to a name that is more memorable?

 

I would also say the forum needs a better design. I'm guessing the site is about trains and rails? They could be incorporated into the design and really make the forum stand out. Also it was a little slow to load for me but that could be my current connection if it's not an issue for others.