Weddings - Tell us about it

A forum aimed at those getting married, just been married, or wanting to get married

Weddings - Index page

 

Hi there.

Nice looking site.
It's new isn't it?
I like how you've started off by posting a lot of questions which is great.

I posted a reply but it said that my message has to be "approved by a moderator" first before it showing up? That's something new on a forum. I would have thought it would get posted straight away.....?

Can I make some suggestions?

1. I noticed when I did a search for your site on Google it showed up in the results with "View Topic" in between. Perhaps for good SEO, you should remove it?

2. Also what about using SEO URL's such as ones with .html on it? You can also try VBSEO as well for that (paid product) to get better search engine optimisation.


I think your site is great. Nice look/theme to it.

Good luck to you and your site.

 

First Impression: Nice, though the banner at the right kind of 'ruined' the mood.

Forum Content​

Quantity of forums: Seems pretty good, though I don't see the point of having the 'After Party' Category. Since it's going for those old couples to share their story, I think it should go in 'getting to know you' under 'Wedding Chatter'.

Content: I love it how you are adding content. If I was going to get married, I would certainly go to your forum and show off. But this makes me wonder if the forum is for Women more than men? Maybe create some content for the dudes.

Also, the one sentence posts are not really making your readers want to engage on the conversation. Grasp their attention with details.

Forum Design​

Favicon: Nope, nein. Maybe a wedding ring?

On, off, icons: Default phpBB? It does go a bit with the site, no complains here.

Design: =\ WELL, uhh, firstly I'd like to say that I like the design (the color scheme is perfect) for exception of two graphics.
.
.

The first one conveys a bit the 'Elegance' feel of a wedding. The second one, it just throws me off completely. A wedding is supposed to be elegant, luxurious and lovely. The second banner looks a bit children-like. For some reason I just feel those two banners take away a bit of the feeling.

Overall Impression: I think you're going in the right way, although the two banners DO take away the feeling when entering your site. You should also make more content for the men, if your site is unisex and a little bit more thoughts into your posts and not leave them at one sentence. Good luck, hope this helps.

 

Real Quick. (as im not a reviewer)

I think the skin fits well, it looks the part.

Its nice and small, (not a ton of diff sections which is good, but yet everything is basically covered).

Basically a good job overall for just starting out. Now all ya gotta do is getthe werd out about it. I think it'll be a good site after sum time and after sum spiders get their little legs on it!

 

Yes, it's brand new, only just starting out. Thank you for your compliment

I had thought that might be safer, just due to spam, what are your thoughts on this?

Can't afford any paid option right now, but i do need to do something about SEO, i am sure you are right.
I'll have a look at phpbb and see if there are any ideas.

Sorry about that. I am still working on things, that is one of the things i am working on.[/quote]

I was thinking that after people came to the site, shared their plans etc, got married, and then had no where to go... i was wanting a forum that meant they were still able to feel welcome there. So they don't think they need to leave.

Compeltely agree but don't really know what to post there at the moment, was hoping some men woudl sign up LOL Will put my thinking cap on.

Have no idea how to do this :doh:will look into it.

Thank you so much

 

I think you should have email activation enabled during registration so that new members have to confirm their email address by clicking on the link to activate their account. This helps fight against bot registrations. I would say, remove the approval of new post system and see how your site goes. Remember, try to make it easier for the members to post so they can share. If I have to wait for a day or two for my post or reply to appear, I would get put off it. If you are concerned about spam, take a look at these posts here:
- phpBB • View topic - Preventing SPAM - Bots and Humans [*Read the First Post!*].
- phpBB • View topic - Anti-Spam Thread!

Try some of the free SEO mods available for phpBB as well, there are heaps around.

One thing I want to mention to you, keep your phpBB UP TO DATE! Always! I used to have IntegraMOD (a phpBB mod) on my forum (still do on one of my older ones) and it was forever getting hacked! phpBB is very popular so makes it a really good target to hacking as once they've found a hack, they would hack lots of sites! So always keep your phpBB version up to date. Trust me, I've been hacked over 10 times throughout the 3 years and got sick of it that I moved away from phpBB altogether.

 

Thanks so much - will check those things out

 

Rizzo,

I think you have a good concept going. Some of my own comments/questions, if I may:

1. Viewing as Guest, are those the only forums currently made?

2. Admittedly your current style and colors are more feminine. Rightly so, weddings are dominated by the female. If you desire men to participate, then you'll have to incorporate some neutral style/colors on the main theme or make available a selectable one.

3. Is the site geared only towards traditional weddings? (e.g., gay?)

4. I can envision tons of other forums to cover various aspects of the wedding or elopement.....(refer to question 1)

5. After life forums -- this description

quite frankly is a turn off. Not sure what you are targeting exactly, the cynism maybe? lol I mean, what is considered "an old married couple" ? I'm sure you meant to be sarcastic...but..hmmm

 

yes.

Not sure i agree with this, but will think about it.

Where does it say or indicate that you can't join if you're gay?

Always good to start with a few and expand when you have posters i believe. I hate going to forums that are new with lots of empty forums.

Thanks so much for your thoughts - i'm loving everybodies feedback!