High Traffic and Activity

[Liliya]

Can I ask a question about sites like this? How do you keep the traffic up and so much activity on community sites, things like networks, forums, blogs etc. This forum always seems so busy although I don't see it advertised in many places how do you keep fresh new faces coming through?

Sorry if it's sounds like I'm asking for secrets but I'm very interested in how to keep others interested esspecially new sign ups.

[PR Design]

Toon's SEO on here is pretty good, so most exposure is through that I imagine. Also people, myself included, really like EDF so they link here. If only 25% of members did that it's a fair bit of exposure. That's all I can offer I'm afraid. Toon will have to cough up some of his secret techniques for the rest

[Toon]

VBSEO does most the rewriting for the site so most of the credit has to go to them, I think good content will always attract what people are looking for, if we all stopped posting for a few weeks I'm sure we'd see the new sign up's stop.

I all honesty this is a very quiet period, the forums go dead at the weekends when most of us are out enjoying ourselves but they always pick up during the week.

I think as far as the links go a few quality links is better than hundreds of worthless links that's where a lot of sites go wrong.

All you really have to do is ask why you visit the sites you spend most time on. facebook, certain blogs, myspace, forums etc. and ask why you go there, how you got there and start your research there. Hope this helps a little.

[Kelly Creative]

Spam people's inbox like me

[MeganS]

yes kelly! lol

[CVW]

I think Toon is being a bit modest. Yes, the SEO is fine but the only reason anyone joins, posts and stays on any forum is the "atmosphere". Forums are only as good as their community and it's not easy to build up a following of decent posters who stick around.

I found EDF through a search and immediately took to the vibe. Not sure I would be bold enough to start a forum - it's like having a party and then wondering if anyone is going to turn up.

So, well done Toon and all the regulars for keeping everyones glasses topped up and making sure we don't run out of nibbles.