Forum "Red Flags" or "Icks"

[Reverie]

When you look at a forum... what are instant Red flags or icks? Please do not post website names or anything, but you can share "at one site they had..." Not looking to bad talk forums, but trying to take this as a learning opportunity for people!

 

[Debashis]

Below are few points that can be instant red flags:

1. The default theme not matching the vibe of the forum; There's only one theme.
2. Not a welcoming community.
3. No activity since a week.
4. Bossy staff.

 

[Ravenfreak]

If the staff isn't active at all and not contributing to the site it looks bad. Lack of activity, for example if there hasn't been any activity in a week or two also looks bad. Low quality content doesn't look great either, if the content is lacking I wouldn't want to join. The layout and theme can be a deal breaker for me as well.

 

[Shortie]

When I take a look at a forum, the first thing I look for is activity not only from staff but also from how active staff members are as well. I also pay attention to how the staff are and what their attitude is towards the community or even in general around the forum.

I also look at the layout and the theme of the forum as well. If the layout is somewhat messy, has a lot of broken images or does not offer more than one theme for the forum, that tends to be a red flag for me as well.

You can usually tell when looking at a forum whether the staff or owner is serious about it or whether they just open a forum to say that they have one.

 

[Paul]

Certain people on some. There's so many toxic people around some forums. Try to avoid them at all costs.

 

[Kyng]

When the forum's admin isn't posting regularly in the forum's 'Ask Me' section.

If the 'Ask Me' threads all have 2 replies in (one question, followed by an answer from the OP) - then, that suggests that the forum admin isn't interested in getting to know their members better.

Either make a proper effort to engage with members in the 'Ask Me' section, or don't have an 'Ask Me' section to begin with.

 

[Ken]

Certain people on some. There's so many toxic people around some forums. Try to avoid them at all costs.

Someone gave me that advice, and I'm staying away from those who are very toxic. I've been down that path before.

 

[V0RT3X]

Where I usually don't sign up ...
- main page with extreme long list of forums and subforums
- forums that look like the ones from 15 or 20 years ago
- most sections members only
- annoying disable adblocker messages
- not mobile friendly

 

[TimelessSailor]

This may seem odd, but I always look for a "Who's Online" section. So many modern forums don't have this feature and to me it is invaluable, because it lets me know if there is a small and active community or not.

 

[Cedric]

This may seem odd, but I always look for a "Who's Online" section. So many modern forums don't have this feature and to me it is invaluable, because it lets me know if there is a small and active community or not.

This isn't odd, I'm the same. I'd like to join a semi-active forum and that's why we have enabled the Who was online? and Members online widget for guest viewing. It's always indicating that we have someone online or had quite a few online. I rarely come to AJ alone, there's always one or more people viewing the board.

 

[Empire]

I mostly look for red flags that are not good at all that I do not join or leave the site after awhile and that being said Bayside is one of those sites with so many red flags that members and people do not stay around long enough. But ways to improve are mostly good content more than anything. what makes people stay is good content and active, you can have a very good-looking theme but doesn't make people stop and join and or become active. Have to agree on many other things also.

 

[Reverie]

1. Default theme with no customization
2. Theme with too much going on in the background/too large of a font/colors that clash on the theme
3. If no one is online, I'll be a bit concerned
4. I will then check to see if there are no recent posts and if there is not much posting other than the admin I might turn away.
5. If I'm able to read posts, if people are mean to one another I'm not going to want to join.

 

[Kennysplash]

Mine is too much ads littered everywhere. I can't deal with it and it's so annoying.

 

[Reverie]

Mine is too much ads littered everywhere. I can't deal with it and it's so annoying.

That’s true. Ads get annoying if they are everywhere and it’s difficult to hide or close the ones that pop up.