Post by Jim on Feb 18, 2007 0:01:28 GMT -5
Let's face it, everyone likes to use pre-made templates. They're free, artistic, creative, and they are eye-catching, which makes them popular. There are so many forums out there where you can get said templates, so they're easily accessible. Most people, instead of creating their own forum concept, will browse around for these templates to use on their forum. While this is perfectly fine, there are some things to think about.
Yes, the template may be attractive and eye-catching and you think it may be perfect for your forum, but there's something you have to ask yourself: How many other forums are using this template? Chances are, if it's available for download, you're not the only one using it on your forum. It may look good on your forum, but do you really want your board to look like hundreds of others? I should think not. While it isn't possible to know exactly how many forums are using the same template, there are others using it, or will be using it at some point. And after seeing the same template over and over, guests will get bored with the same template and won't join numerous boards that look exactly the same. It's best to be unique in creating your forums concept to attract the visitors, and eventually, members. A unique forum concept will surely bring in the members, if it's a concept that isn't already being used, or at least used in large numbers. Now yes, these templates are available for you to use, but that doesn't mean you have to use them.
If you want a custom skin, that's fine. Most, if not all, forums that have pre-made templates will also have a skin request board. Not everyone might have one, but most will. Requesting a custom skin can be difficult and take time because you have to really think about how you want the template to look. You have to be very detailed in what you want and how it should look so it's made to your specifications.
Or, if you have the design know-how, you can create the template yourself. Yes this will also take some thought on your part, as well as patience and some 'elbow grease', but it will be unique. When designing a template, don't be afraid to use a pre-made template as a reference. Just make sure you don't create the exact same template. Creating the template yourself or requesting will show that you have put a lot of thought into your forum, instead of just changing the colors on the default skin(though there's nothing wrong with that). Plus, your forum will be unique.
Thoughts?
Yes, the template may be attractive and eye-catching and you think it may be perfect for your forum, but there's something you have to ask yourself: How many other forums are using this template? Chances are, if it's available for download, you're not the only one using it on your forum. It may look good on your forum, but do you really want your board to look like hundreds of others? I should think not. While it isn't possible to know exactly how many forums are using the same template, there are others using it, or will be using it at some point. And after seeing the same template over and over, guests will get bored with the same template and won't join numerous boards that look exactly the same. It's best to be unique in creating your forums concept to attract the visitors, and eventually, members. A unique forum concept will surely bring in the members, if it's a concept that isn't already being used, or at least used in large numbers. Now yes, these templates are available for you to use, but that doesn't mean you have to use them.
If you want a custom skin, that's fine. Most, if not all, forums that have pre-made templates will also have a skin request board. Not everyone might have one, but most will. Requesting a custom skin can be difficult and take time because you have to really think about how you want the template to look. You have to be very detailed in what you want and how it should look so it's made to your specifications.
Or, if you have the design know-how, you can create the template yourself. Yes this will also take some thought on your part, as well as patience and some 'elbow grease', but it will be unique. When designing a template, don't be afraid to use a pre-made template as a reference. Just make sure you don't create the exact same template. Creating the template yourself or requesting will show that you have put a lot of thought into your forum, instead of just changing the colors on the default skin(though there's nothing wrong with that). Plus, your forum will be unique.
Thoughts?