Forum is extremely unsuccessful due to rival site

[ForumFan]

I've been using this similar Node Icon plug-in. Has worked very well for me.

Unmaintained - [cv6] Node Icons & Tools

Now new for XenForo 2.2.x This AddOn works with the default Theme, if you change essential parts of the theme in your own styling, there may be changes to the template mods necessary. If it not works out of the box with your style, please drop...

xenforo.com

 

[beerForo]

Go here and search the v5 (not v6) library, I linked to 5.

Search v5 Icons | Font Awesome

Search all the v5 icons. Try Font Awesome 6 with the all new Thin style.

fontawesome.com

When you are in "Node layout and styling" make sure your style is selected.
Next, select the node.

For the icon go to these two fields:

Forum icon class

Forum icon class (unread)

Test a traffic light like this:
fa-traffic-light

...in both fields.

Now just search for what you want.

 

[beerForo]

I've been using this similar Node Icon plug-in. Has worked very well for me.

Unmaintained - [cv6] Node Icons & Tools

Now new for XenForo 2.2.x This AddOn works with the default Theme, if you change essential parts of the theme in your own styling, there may be changes to the template mods necessary. If it not works out of the box with your style, please drop...

xenforo.com

On one forum I just do it with CSS.

 

[thesignalman]

I tried changing the banner images but of course it won't let me..........I should've been born in the stone age

 

[Anatoliy]

That's very hard to visualize

something like that

 

[beerForo]

 

[Faust]

I might be able to help you out with the logo if you can explain what you want to achieve.

 

[Anatoliy]

sorry @Anatoliy but that is just horrid lol I would WALK right out

the point is people don't visit forums depending on the color or presence of cool header.)
I bought like 3 or 4 custom styles over the years but ended up with default xF style. All extra jingle & bells just kill the load speed and accordingly organic traffic. I invest my time in things like featuring quality content and most active users, fast page speed & good serp.



@thesignalman that's what I wanted to show you in your answer to my question. no way you would answer "the successful forum is one that is green". ) The successful forum is one that has traffic and activity.

You might spend years playing with colors and graphics. But people don't care if you're a good web developer or not. They care about themselves. Feature their content on your homepage, give them some awards like "Publisher of the month" and they will come again and again to be featured again.

That's how I see it in black & white.

 

[beerForo]

the point is people don't visit forums depending on the color or presence of cool header.)

says you

 

[Anatoliy]

says you

ever heard of craigslist? )
but yeah, obviously it's just my personal opinion.

 

[beerForo]

I'm sure it took some time to do that header, but I see it as the gimmickyness @thesignalman was worried about. I mean...

 

[Anatoliy]

I'm sure it took some time to do that header, but I see it as the gimmickiness @thesignalman was worried about. I mean....

no, no offence. and yes, I agree that it's cliché from somewhere like back 2000 )
but it takes like 5 mnts to replace a background & font. I wanted to attach you psd, but it's to large. But I can attach those signs on a transparent background and you will finish the art piece. That's what they call community help, right?

 

[Faust]

the point is people don't visit forums depending on the color or presence of cool header.)

Depends, if you build up a brand you want it perfect? I would use XF default style for simple niche.

Also don't forget, younger generation are looking for a modern look as well, they won't join ungly vb forum, unless they are after some content, and even if they'll join, they won't be active.

From my experience, you want to adapt and create the forum closely to the niche, the design of the forum is one of the key to attract members too.

But the main one is as everyone said, content and activity.

 

[Anatoliy]

you want it perfect

that's a ticket to a residential psychiatric facility )

 

[Faust]

that's a ticket to a residential psychiatric facility )

Samy to you. If you want it perfect from page speed perfections, from you last posts pall)

 

[Anatoliy]

Samy to you. If you want it perfect from page speed perfections, from you last posts pall)

I didn't say a word about perfect, because perfect does not exist in reality.
However perfectionism does exist. In the International Classification of Diseases.

 

[Faust]

I didn't say a word about perfect, because perfect does not exist in reality.
However perfectionism does exist. In the International Classification of Diseases.

Then close to perfection . Still achieving 100% on Google page speed means you want it perfect if we put it this way. Anyway, we go a bit off topic. I have my own views regarding that.

As I said, having a right style for the right niche is important as well to get more members.

 

[Anatoliy]

Then close to perfection

that's less dangerous direction )

 

[Old Nick]

I'm sure it took some time to do that header, but I see it as the gimmickyness @thesignalman was worried about. i mean...

no, no offence. and yes, I agree that it's cliché from somewhere like back 2000 )

Isn't collecting road signs something from the 2000s or even older? I think it would go very well with the theme and the supposed audience of such a forum...

 

[l3ta]

If you change your header color to something darker, this logo will actually look good. Try it.