New Florida Holiday Forum - Help Getting Started

[MamboCube]

Hi there, ive just finished putting together the final pieces of my forum.

You can find it here: Uk 2 Florida (http://uk-2-florida.co.uk/forum)

Just wanted some advice really on how to encourage users to post, register etc.

Im also looking for some Forum Directories, but cant seem to find any decent ones on google. Do you guys know of any you can recommend?

Hope someone can help me out!

Thanks!!

[Doug]

Hi there,

I've lived in Florida for several years now, and I have to say, there's more than Disney and Universal. You do have some others, but I don't think there's a need to concentrate on each one so much. What I would do is just have a "Disney World" forum and a "Universal Studios Orlando" forum and see how popular they are. A lot of forums tend to overwhelm visitors.

I don't know what the socio-economic level is that you're targeting, but there's lots of nice places on the West Coast and other places of Florida like Naples, Tampa, Sarasota, Amelia Island, Miami, and such.

I'd perhaps recruit a few people who live in Florida and maybe even in the Orlando area and have them post on the boards with insight, tips, etc. Perhaps get a few people to write reviews and start up an article section with some various articles such as "Going to FL for X Amount of Money". I think content, along with a strong community would be the way to go for your site.

Nice idea, and it seems like you're on the right track. Best of luck!

[cyberturk]

i think the first thing is finishing the main site. Because visitors could fine your site via saerch engines.

After finishing it, you can give links to forum about the site content

[Tyler]

Reviews is probably a better place :)

[Scott]

I agree with Doug, I would condense all the Walt Disney and Universal forums and put them into an "Attractions" category. Save expansion for when you have the content.

Colours are okay, but I'm not a fan of the marquee at the top.

Good luck with it, and welcome to FU :)

[writespeak]

You can find it here: Uk 2 Florida (http://uk-2-florida.co.uk/forum)

I like the suitcase images. :)

A small detail...the page doesn't quite fit in the screen without a horizontal scroll at 800X600.

I was confused about the domain name. Is the site about people from the UK moving to Florida? Living in Florida? Travelling to Florida? The title helps, but I still don't understand why "UK" is in it. People from many countries travel to Florida. :confused:

Just wanted some advice really on how to encourage users to post, register etc.

In addition to what's already been suggested, a friendly and informative welcome at the top of the page could help. That would help people know what your forum is about within a few seconds, and it could invite them to take part. :)

Im also looking for some Forum Directories, but cant seem to find any decent ones on google. Do you guys know of any you can recommend?

Well, there's one :cough: right here (http://www.forumuniversity.com/campus/toplist.php). :) Our Toplist is small but growing.

Other than that, I suggest looking for directories that have links to sites about Florida and travel. They don't need to be specifically for forums. When you submit your link, include details about the information at the site in the description to emphasize the website aspect of it.

I'd wait till you have content on the site home page, though. Directories don't usually link to sites that don't appear to be ready for the public.

Lois

[MamboCube]

Wow, thanks for the advice guys, i really appreciate it.

The site is mainly about UK residents going on holiday to Florida, with more emphasis on Orlando, Disney, Universal etc. We have plans to cover all of the other attractions in florida (aswell as a big section on beaches), once we have more users. The site is being finished off, along with the gallery. I like the idea about the welcome message, will have to tweak it some time tomorrow.

About the 800 X 600, we didnt originally have the tabs on the right of the page, so it fitted ok, but it doesnt now weve added them, im not too worried about it really, or should i be?

Liking this site alot, and really appreciate you guys taking time to help me out!

Thanks!!