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review for a tech support forum -- basically everything

AbyssAbyss subscriber Posts: 1
edited June 2008 in Website Critique
We are trying to become a big, friendly online community who provide technical support for those who need it. The forum software being used is MyBB. I have customized the look a little bit -- we dont want it too fancy. The main problem now is that the mouse graphic misaligns the forums in IE, so i need to find a different graphic. I use a plugin for the SEO, not sure how well it is working.
 
So basically I am seeking advice on the SEO, design, and content structure.
 

http://www.onlineteksupport.com

 
Thank you,
Abyss

Comments

  • WeblineWebline subscriber Posts: 13 Bronze Level Member
    If you adjust your source code or css file so that "tcat" is set at the same width as the mouse image, it may help with the width issue. Not sure, just a thought.
    The SEO plug-in seems to be making unique titles and descriptions for your pages, which is good.
    I would say that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of PC help sites already. How is yours different, distinct, or setting itself apart from the others? Not saying that to dissuade you, but to get traffic in this area you need to be somewhat unique or different or offer something other sites don`t, if possible.
  • AbyssAbyss subscriber Posts: 1
    Well, i fixed the IE bug.
    It was in the code, i just had to change <td class="{$bgcolor}" align="center" valign="top"><img
    src="{$theme[`imgdir`]}/{$lightbulb[`folder`]}.gif"
    alt="{$lightbulb[`altonoff`]}" title="{$lightbulb[`altonoff`]}"
    /></td>
    to<td class="{$bgcolor}" align="center" valign="top" width="50"><img
    src="{$theme[`imgdir`]}/{$lightbulb[`folder`]}.gif"
    alt="{$lightbulb[`altonoff`]}" title="{$lightbulb[`altonoff`]}"
    /></td>
  • sddreamweaverssddreamweavers subscriber Posts: 5 Member

    We are trying to become a big, friendly online community who provide technical support for those who need it. The forum software being used is MyBB. I have customized the look a little bit -- we dont want it too fancy. The main problem now is that the mouse graphic misaligns the forums in IE, so i need to find a different graphic. I use a plugin for the SEO, not sure how well it is working. So basically I am seeking advice on the SEO, design, and content structure. http://www.onlineteksupport.com Thank you,Abyss

    From my experiences, the main headaches with forums come from the point down the line when the hardware can`t keep up with the software.  Having multiple threads over 1000 posts, numerous add-ons, upgrades can also lead to some of the architectural headaches with forums.
    You also should keep all the search functions and the membership list available to only people who are logged in, for privacy purposes.
  • AbyssAbyss subscriber Posts: 1
    Thanks, I`ll try to restrict those pages... why should the search function be members only?
    and also... what is the point of restricting the Member List page if guests can still view members` profiles by clicking their names?Abyss6/5/2008 5:26 PM
  • sddreamweaverssddreamweavers subscriber Posts: 5 Member
    Thanks, I`ll try to restrict those pages... why should the search function be members only?
    and also... what is the point of restricting the Member List page if guests can still view members` profiles by clicking their names?

    Because some people use their real names contact information, etc.  You don`t want that information harvested.
    I got to thinking about the restricting of the search after I posted it.  On the one hand you don`t want just anyone to search your site, you want to entice them to join and restricting search is a way to get them to join.  On the other hand if you don`t restrict Google from crawling your site it`s a moot point as the information will be online anyways.  In the very least throw up a CAPTCHA form for searches so your system resources won`t be eaten alive by scripts harvesting information.
  • AbyssAbyss subscriber Posts: 1
    Alright... I restricted the members list. I decided to block guest searching too. Should i use robots.txt to stop google from searching the members` profiles? Or should i just block guests from viewing their profiles?Abyss6/5/2008 10:12 PM
  • sddreamweaverssddreamweavers subscriber Posts: 5 Member
    Alright... I restricted the members list. I decided to block guest searching too. Should i use robots.txt to stop google from searching the members` profiles? Or should i just block guests from viewing their profiles?

    I would keep it to blocking guests/non-memebers as you want the posts to register in google and entice people to join.
  • AbyssAbyss subscriber Posts: 1
    Alright... so got the searching and member list blocked to guests. Thank you.
    I think we`re gonna start redoing the forums. Like split topics into tutorials, support, and random discussion. (eg: Vista tutorials, Vista support, Vista discussion). We`re gonna get a few articles written before changing over though. I think now we want to focus not just on helping people with problems, but educating people as well.
  • sddreamweaverssddreamweavers subscriber Posts: 5 Member
    Alright... so got the searching and member list blocked to guests. Thank you.
    I think we`re gonna start redoing the forums. Like split topics into tutorials, support, and random discussion. (eg: Vista tutorials, Vista support, Vista discussion). We`re gonna get a few articles written before changing over though. I think now we want to focus not just on helping people with problems, but educating people as well.

    Articles are a great way to do that and drive traffic to your site.  You also might want to look at Squidoo as well.
  • AbyssAbyss subscriber Posts: 1
  • AbyssAbyss subscriber Posts: 1
    So i looked at Squidoo.... and i dont know why i need it. can you elaborate more for me?
  • sddreamweaverssddreamweavers subscriber Posts: 5 Member
    Well taking out all the affiliate marketing crap that they have available for you to stuff in their pages, you can become an expert on whatever you want.  Ok, for example I went to the Squidoo home page and did a search for XP help.
    Here`s one of the result pages:http://www.squidoo.com/windowsxpoptimizer
    Now imagine if you had a technical article without all the sales and ad junk in it?  Squidoo is designed for people who are experts in whatever areas they are good at.
    To apply it to your site you can write an article about the benefits of using a technical forum to solve XP/Vista Problems.  For Example, you could write an article on the topic of:Using a forum is quick and it`s cheaper than calling Tech Support or a computer expert. ...and so on....sddreamweavers6/8/2008 7:34 AM
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