Does anything think forum splash pages are pointless?

It's kinda like a fad I've seen on websites stuck way too far in the past to have the forum links on the site's home page/nav bar go a page that THEN links to their forums. Some even have like, a ten page rule list on said page and a small two links saying something like 'I agree, let me in!' and 'I don't agree!'

I personally think it's pointless, and also means the forum won't rank at all well in search engines, nor get as much traffic.

 

I don't think a splash page has any effect on search engine ranking or traffic, and actually if properly done and optimized splash pages (also known as landing pages) are highly effective at increasing rankings, traffic, and usually lead to higher conversion rates.

You've probably seen poorly implemented and optimized pages that turn people off before it turns them on to the site.

 

Our splash page serves a purpose, easy on the eyes page to try to lure people in, especially the people that are not computer savoy. A few don't like it but we will continue to have it.

If it a splash page can also serve a purpose such as a wiki page about a topic, with a click to enter forums button. Porn sites need to put up a 'over 18yo' button. There are reasons to have them at times.

 

if just an entry page it's worthless

 

Anyone have some examples of effective splash / intro pages?

 

Depends on the definition of splash page. To me it means anything that gets in the way of the root name and the actual forums. Using that definition vbulletin.com is an effective splash page because it offers much information in one place.

Other people define a splash page as a simple 'click to enter' page. Using that definition any porn site complying with the law for underage people are effective splash pages.

 

I mainly meant mere doorway type pages, sometimes with an image or a list of rules. If anyone needs an example, see any old fashioned Legend of Zelda fan site, which have just the ridiculous un needed kind of splash page I'm talking about between their site and forums.

 

Elliquiy's current page is very effective. I haven't run metrics on Blue Moon/PrP/Lunar Radiance, but what you put in your front page does have a powerful impact.

Considering Elliquiy is PR3 and the top search result (or close to it) for several major terms - it doesn't particularly hinder search engine results.

 

A splash page to me makes little to no sense. I have a marketing background so to me splash pages are a waste of time. To me the main purpose is to get the person to the webpage and make a conversion - sign them as a member, get them to comment on a post, forward the link, etc. A splash page doesn't do any of that.