SUPPORT FORUM POLL - Own Forum or Sub Forum?

[Bloggeries]

Should this be it's own form accessible from the front page or should it be a sub forum under http://www.bloggeries.com/forum/blog...-site-updates/ ?

Both have pros and cons and would love to hear from you!

[QuirkyJessi]

I would say have it as its own forum to be seen from the main page. Although I'd assume it's not going to be a "huge forum" with lots of traffic....if it's hidden away as a subforum, many people won't notice it or think to look there if they have a suggestion.

[Bloggeries]

I know, this forum is kinda like an enigma different then most. Other forums you want to be exploding with threads and posts but hopefully this one won't be used extensively. But if it is that means people had questions that weren't being answers.

Props to Jim for bringing it up!

[enterpriseJM]

Thanks, Rob. I voted for sub-forum, but I don't think the support forum should be hidden away. It should be very easily found. My own forum, The Floor Pro Community has a Website and Forum Support forum in the Administration & Support category. I do the news and announcements from there and there is also a test forum for members only (and hidden from search engines) for members to practice posting images or testing their signatures, etc. What you can't see there is also a staff forum so that me and my moderators, guides, etc. can talk about members behind their backs and devise ways to make their lives miserable. Well, okay, we don't do exactly that, but we do discuss contest organization, habitually errant members and how we can work together to promote activity and community on the forums. I also have the all-important staff contact list and the job description posts stickied for the staff to have easy access to.

Just some ideas I'm tossin' out there.

Jim

[enterpriseJM]

I forgot to mention...

The support forum I have at my site can be used by anyone, including guests/unregistered visitors. Of course, their posts get sent to the moderation queue first, but the idea is to let someone who is having trouble with the site to let us know without having to log in or register first.

Jim

[Bloggeries]

I like those ideas Jim, I also like how you have the sub categories displayed under the main category. That's nice because at the moment my Classifieds section is mainly hidden when in actuality there is lot's there.

Your forum is well organized; the work of a forum owner is never done; I wouldn't have it any other way though!

[Bloggeries]

Do you get a lot of spam? I'd assume your moderation queue builds fast?

Originally Posted by enterpriseJM

I forgot to mention...

The support forum I have at my site can be used by anyone, including guests/unregistered visitors. Of course, their posts get sent to the moderation queue first, but the idea is to let someone who is having trouble with the site to let us know without having to log in or register first.

Jim

[enterpriseJM]

No, I get almost no spam. I use a couple of excellent modifications. I try to keep mods limited because it's a pain to update to the latest versions of vB, which is a priority for me.

I value highly a secure setup. But, I also want to have things organized to make it easy and fun for my members and visitors to post. I actually have a large section for consumers that also do not have to register to post their questions. It helps for the drive-by DIYer and it also encourages more registrations because of our perceived leniency and hospitality to visitors.

As an aside, the latest entry on one of my blogs talks about forum organization. Maybe you will find it interesting - even humorous: Forum Organization: A Site Review - what to watch out for when planning & building your site | enterpriseJM

Jim

[Bloggeries]

I'll be sure to check that out in depth; just gave it a quick scan and liked it so I stumbled it. It's nice having another admin who might I humbly add most likely knows more then myself about vB.

Was thinking of adding the Top X stats but heard it's a resource drag.

[QuirkyJessi]

Those are great ideas, Jim. We have a similar support section set up on two of the other sites I admin....with the hidden forum for behind-the-scenes people (wonderful addition for staff members), a guest section for those with questions (if they're having issues or even want to ask anonymously), and a general feedback area.