[OS Master]

I have a forum that has been slowly going along for almost 2 years. I have been trying everything that I could, such as signature links, sponsorships, link exchanges, link baiting, asking for reviews, etc. and none of them have worked in the long run.

The best way for me to go at this time is SEO, and since I only have enough money to pay for hosting, services like AdWords are out of my reach.

My hope is that by getting new members, they will click on ads and donate, thus allowing me to fund other projects, like advertising, paid posting, custom themes, etc.

Do you have any suggestions specifically for my forum?

[Frank]

Sorry to see you so frustrated. I know how it can be. Perhaps your niche is over-saturated and there is no compelling reason to gravitate to a young site in this arena? Maybe it is an umbrella force against you like that.

[OS Master]

Originally Posted by Frank

Sorry to see you so frustrated. I know how it can be. Perhaps your niche is over-saturated and there is no compelling reason to gravitate to a young site in this arena? Maybe it is an umbrella force against you like that.

Well most of my competition consists of forums with categories with Operating Systems. I thought that having a forum dedicated to a niche like this would bring targeted discussion, and I felt the whole "computer forum" thing had been overdone.

[Frank]

I understand. Perhaps you are suffering from the saturation spillover from it being covered. Don't know. I do wish you luck either way.

Perhaps have some unique function to offer - like a way for people to have their OS analyzed or something.

[OS Master]

Originally Posted by Frank

Perhaps have some unique function to offer - like a way for people to have their OS analyzed or something.

We do offer live support for registered members, and we do try to out-offer our competition.

I am also working on a gift shop for Using Your OS, I'll see how it works out.

[Frank]

Howdy - hopefully the "gift shop using your OS" is something special or unique. I was thinking you need something really unique to stick out in your arena, due to the amount of forums out there that cover your topic. Just giving you suggestions like you asked. I know the one thing I have seen sites differentiate themselves with effectively is a simple but truly unique function. That seems to elevate them quite effectively. I am interested in seeing what you have in mind or what you meant by that gift shop idea.

[OS Master]

Originally Posted by Frank

Howdy - hopefully the "gift shop using your OS" is something special or unique. I was thinking you need something really unique to stick out in your arena, due to the amount of forums out there that cover your topic. Just giving you suggestions like you asked. I know the one thing I have seen sites differentiate themselves with effectively is a simple but truly unique function. That seems to elevate them quite effectively. I am interested in seeing what you have in mind or what you meant by that gift shop idea.

Well I'll add some items, I don't manage the shop myself, a company does, so the prices will be a bit high.

Do you have any ideas specifically for the forum that I have? I have made a new thread in the Reviews forum but no one has replied.

[Frank]

Hmmmmm, don't know. I am not into computer stuff that much to say. I don't know your niche enough to brainstorm on it. I mean someone like me would just want to ask a question and get answers or help. I am not sure what else one can do with OS material. One thought I had was forget the typical questions and items, which are covered a billion times over on the net, and maybe focus on one aspect, narrow it down and specialize. Like, for example (not a good one, just an example), just cutting edge OS options, ahead of the curve.

By the way, your site causes me to scroll right, I think it's too wide, and I am using 1024 monitor rez.

[OS Master]

Originally Posted by Frank

By the way, your site causes me to scroll right, I think it's too wide, and I am using 1024 monitor rez.

Well I just changed my resolution to 800 x 600 and there aren't any scrollbars. What browser are you using?

Well we are trying to revolutionize support by having more discussions with the members. Most other forums are too big for that sort of thing, but even if we become big like them someday, I will still reply to threads as much as possible.

I also think live support is revolutionary, since most other websites don't offer that. What I'm looking to do with that is to get support specialists where at least one can be online 24/7 to handle support requests. Obviously I'm not there yet, but those are our goals.

I've also tried to make it more personal, such as revealing our history and what we are trying to do.

[Frank]

In both IE and FF, at 1024 X 768, I have to scroll right to see the whole page. Maybe log out and view as a guest.

As for live support - nice idea! I can lead you to some great, low-cost toll free number capabilities for you if you ever get to that point.