Common mistakes new forum owners make?

From what I have seen, allot of new forums either never customize the default theme to look different, or never go after getting a good looking theme that fits well with the type of forum they plan on running.

 

I agree.. i see alot of people having horrible layouts. For example having themes with horrible color combos that makes the website hard to read so you gotta highlight the text lol.

 

Not posting on it and expecting it to grow on its own. I've also seen a few where they're cluttered with a ton of forums. Finally, picking a horrible skin and using it as well as not replacing the default logo.

 

Oh yes, I hate forums that have a big list.. when you continuously have to scroll down.

 

Poor theme quality? Poor grammar? and experience being staff? XD

 

why do you say that?

 

Yes please elaborate.

 

I mean, the new forum owners don't know how to pick good design of themes(When I started).
Poor grammar, they just use a internet languages, and other annoying sentence.
Sometimes they don't have a experience being staff so they can't manage their forums.

 

I'm doing all of what's listed here, but still <removed> is bad

One more advice, never make something which YOU are bored of

 

Please do not advertise anywhere else but the showcase section, thanks

 

I agree because it will never end up anywhere and will be a waste of your time.

 

All of us have made these mistakes and learned the ways of how to run a forum and hopefully no more of these mistakes, these are SOME of the horrible decisions I have seen...
- 5/10 members and 6 mods
- Everyone VIP and no Members
- Loads of Admins

 

Haha... that is horrible

 

Making too many sections and not making their forums unique enough.

 

I agree, these things always open. I prefer not advertising until your community is ready, such as, having a few members, and having things to reply to. These days there's a lot of advertising networks to you use, and many forums to promote on via signature links.

I hate the fact that new forums open up with so many forums, its best to start with 2 to 5 and work your way up.

 

Yea, it really amazes me because they will add 20 something forums, and barely fill up 5 up them.

 

Good points Kaiser, I was like that when I was new to foruming lol.

 

Same here, but we all eventually learn from our mistakes

 

You could also have sort of the opposite. You could have people who own big forums with lots of members, and 1 staff member who can't even handle it all.

Another mistake I have seen is forums that are supposed to be dedicated to a certain topic, but too many forums that don't relate to the topic.

 

Very good point I have seen that happen on many forums Im on where they dont bother sticking to the main content (On-Topic section)