Is merging forums a good idea?

[Dancing Mongoose]

Very often forums tend to merge into one another to create a bigger community. Sometimes it works out however often it fails. The community gradually dies. The community members may feel everything is not as "cool" anymore and is too crowded with a merge.

What is your opinion on forums merging?

 

[Joshua Farrell]

It depends on what is merged with the other forum, and how it is done. I generally believe if it is done right, and you are not merging a forum that is already going down hill on activity, then it is a bad decision to make.

 

[Jake1]

Merging forums can be a good thing or a bad thing. It really depends on what forum is being merged with what forum. If you're merging a forum that isn't active and no one is online daily, it's a bad thing. If you're merging two forums because you own both, by all means, go for it.

 

[Joshua Farrell]

I also think that if the two forums are about two completely different subjects, one might have a very hard time keeping most of the members from the previous forum.

 

[ddoesmc]

I think it is. But not really merging the databases. I will copy and paste the articles as I need them. I do not use other users article's.

 

[Dancing Mongoose]

I have to agree with the posts above, merging forums have a good and bad side. It all depends on how professionally and organizing you handle things. It is virtually unlikely to see two inactive merged forums succeeding, in my opinion.