Thread: [Review Request] Looking to revamp - need ideas!

Hello everyone.

Recently, I've become aware of the fact that I have been horrifically neglecting my discussion forum and I am now looking to fix that. There is a strong, tight-knit community present that is very active. I have two dedicated moderators, as well. It has also been pulling in a profit, which is great. So, the problem? Tons of visitors - no conversions. People are coming to the forum, checking it out, and leaving. There's no new blood. I need to figure out why and then rectify it. I'm thinking of buying a brand new design and changing some things around. I just reconfigured a lot of the backend and vBSEO settings as well.

Hopefully you can share some ideas for improvement so I can get this forum in the spotlight where it belongs. Thanks in advance.

Umm, what's up with Cookie Monster?

Maybe you can feature the top 10 or 20 popular topics / threads from your forum somewhere above the fold.

Haha, the Cookie Monster is part of a program where we take a random image and use it to welcome people. We had Humphrey Bogart at one point. Back around the time of the Video Music Awards, we did an introduction with Kanye West. More recently we had Tiger Woods up for a while because of his recent scandal. Basically something to sort of make people smile when they come to the forum. Cookie Monster was the idea of one of our members, and we just went with it. :P

Maybe you can feature the top 10 or 20 popular topics / threads from your forum somewhere above the fold.

Interesting idea! I used to do this at one point - a link to some of the hottest discussion and debate subjects going on.
As per your suggestion, I'll try doing it again.
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I'm also trying to locate a nice theme for the forum...
I liked this one: http://www.forummonkeys.com/forums/vbulletinskins/index.php?styleid=67

Though someone said, "My personal preference is for darker themes. They're much easier on the eyes. All the white on this theme and the one you linked is just kind of bland and boring. I'm not asking for like Rainbow Brite or anything, but something more eyecatching yet functional."

What do you guys think? What sort of theme would be fitting?

Hopefully that will bring back more visitors to your forum.

Well, I changed up a lot of things!

Let me know what you guys think.