Hey Guys!

I could sure use an unbiased opinion here

I want to create a community within my web site, and a bit puzzled about it.

The website is based on a specific product of the company and in the subject of wireless security. Also, we are now working on a bigger Database and articles in that field.

My aim is to give a place for people to share news from that world and maybe talk about the product (and get support, if needed). But I really want it to be about subjects that can be interesting and give added value to our visitors...

So that's where i need your help -
what do you think would interest you in the subject?
what will get you to stay, as a community?
(beside friendly and professional community, such as in here)

So, if to sum it up - what do you think those forums should be about?

I thank you in advance for any opinion!!!

You're being a little too vague for me to contemplate. Don't be afraid of someone stealing your ideas here. We are very amiable bunch.

__________________
I went to Vegas, and all I got was this Blister. - true story!

hehe

Actually, I wasn't even thinking about it.. (until now!!!)

what details you need?
I'm here to share!

What's your device? How do you market it? How reliable is it? How hard or easy is it to understand? Is it a flash in the pan, or there for the long haul?

Just simple questions like that.

__________________
I went to Vegas, and all I got was this Blister. - true story!

I see.

well, basically it's a USB plug & play device.. It can use the support if purposed for SMB and corporate, but end-users shouldn't have much of a problem.

currently we market it with press releases and offline conferences, and got lots of links from major sites in the field.

However,
I noticed most of our surfers are new, and we do not have many returning visitors - so i figured the best way to get them coming back is by creating something that would keep them interested
(Now comes the hard part of knowing what will interest our surfers)

By the way,
Those are the subjects i came up with so far -
(are they called sub-forums?)

- Getting started (info on installing the product and set-up debugging)

- Troubleshooting (maybe like a message center to the support)

- security in the world (events and fresh news)

- Product Upgrades (news by the company)

- emmm....

__________________

Well, talking about forums, you should create one, definately. I know, not helping yet.

The nature of your niche is that most will not return unless they have a problem. It's the nature of the beast.

You want something simple. I like to use the word intuitive. Try these categories (as they are called)

+World Security
+Pre-Sales Questions
+Product Support
+Website/Forum Support

Ideally you want only 3 categories for a new forum. But in your case, I think 4 is okay. Under these categories is where you will house your main forums. Each forum can house many topics (called threads by us die hards).

-World Security
--Global Security Events
--Technology Breakthroughs

-Pre-Sales Questions
--Why should I buy it?
--What...
--When..
--How...

-Product Support
--Downloads
--Upgrades
--Troubleshooting
--Warranty

-Website/Forum Support
--Registration Issues
--Customer Feedback
--Features & FAQ

__________________
I went to Vegas, and all I got was this Blister. - true story!

great stuff man,
Thanks!

one thing i didn't get...
regarding the "-Pre-Sales Questions"

how does it give the surfers a platform to express themselves?

I mean, is it meant for technical question about the product?

if so - then the "why" i got, but the rest i didn't

Anyway, it feels like you have lots of experience in that - i'll sure use that!

__________________

When you're just getting started I personally think RM's suggestion is too many forums. I usually like to keep the number of forums I have when just starting at 8 to a maximum of 10. When your forums become active you can always add more forums but with less to start out with they "appear" more active. Just my $0.02.

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Orly,

The pre-sales questions area is a tremendous platform for potential buyers! It's a two-tier system. One is where they can ask those quirky questions that nobody thinks about, and you can answer them. Two, you can pre-emptivly populate that forum with common questions about your product, and then answer them there. It's like a FAQ that is organic, because it builds itself the more time passes.

I agree with Moelman, too. My example would be a great layout, but if you're just starting off, I would condense them:

-Product Support
--Pre-Sales Questions (FAQ)
--Downloads
--Upgrades
--Troubleshooting
--Warranty

-Website/Forum Support
--How to use this forum
----Features Explained
--Give us your feedback
--World Security
----Global Security Events
----Technology Breakthroughs

The combinations are endless. (pun intended, I hope you got it)

__________________
I went to Vegas, and all I got was this Blister. - true story!