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5 Early warning signs that your forum is failing and how to counter them

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When you notice a huge crack in your home, you see it as a sign of weakness and an impending collapse.

Similarly, an online forum can also show early warning signs of decline that you shouldn't ignore.

In this post, we'll cover the top five warning signs that indicate your forum is in trouble, so you can take action before it's too late.

We'll also show some objectives to counter those problems so you can start reviving your community and get everything on track again and become a better Community Manager.

Early warning sign #1 - No new members

If your forum isn't attracting new members, there's a problem. A lively, diverse, and energetic community requires a steady influx of new users. If no one is registering, something is wrong. Perhaps your site is difficult to navigate, your members unwelcoming, or your site has no content. This symptom indicates a real problem at your community. Not attracting new members means your community won't last for long, so it's crucial to take action. In an earlier article I have summed up 8 Innovative Methods on Attracting New Members.
Counter tip: Try to provide unique content and a friendly environment to attract new members.

Early warning sign #2 - New members not welcomed​


Attracting new members is hard work. You don't want to fall at the final hurdle by not welcoming them. New members are eager to become long-term members of your community, but they need attention. If you have an "Introductions" section, make sure you welcome every new user to the community. Greet them and make them feel valued.

Counter tip: Show appreciation for new members and encourage them to participate in discussions.


Early warning sign #3 - Members don't know how to contact you​


If your members feel they have no say in the community, they won't develop loyalty. They need to feel valued and assured that their opinions matter. They need to know how to contact you, the decision-maker. You should be clearly identifiable as someone in a position of authority within the community, and your site should provide clear instructions on how members can get in touch.

Counter tip: Make yourself available to your community and be open to feedback.

Early warning sign #4 - No new threads / posts​


A lack of new threads and posts is even worse than not attracting new members. If your community isn't generating any new content, it will fail in the short term. Members are impatient and won't keep visiting if there's no new content. If your community can't generate fresh content on its own, you need to create new posts and contribute to threads.

Counter tip: Keep your community engaged with fresh and interesting content. It's important to Force Yourself to Post Content as a Webmaster.

Early warning sign #5 - Failed threads​


Failed threads are a classic sign of a lack of interaction and commitment by the forum owner. You don't want any failed threads on your forum. You shouldn't allow a thread to die out, particularly if it was started by one of your members. Failed threads give a bad impression of your community to existing and potential members, who might feel discouraged from participating.

Counter tip: Encourage your members to engage with each other and keep discussions alive.


These are the top five early warning signs that suggest your forum is in trouble. Of course, these five signs of a failing forum are entirely my own opinion. What are your thoughts? Do you agree with the signs I have identified? If you recognize any of these issues, make sure you take action sooner rather than later. Do you have any suggestions as to other warning signs of a failing forum? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.
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About author
Cedric
Hello! I'm one of our content writers, who have been creating engaging and informative content for Admin Junkies. With a deep passion for web development, I hope to bring you a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table.

I'm an experienced webmaster with many failures and successes and always trying to be up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in the industry. My articles cover a wide range of topics including forum management, community building, SEO, website revenue, and user experience.

I try to write in an engaging style and hope my clear explanations make my articles accessible to both beginners and experts in the field of web development.

So, be sure to check out my latest posts and discover the wealth of knowledge I try to offer.

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