Close forums for unregistered users?

**MK3Design** · 09-10-2006, 02:29 PM

For a new forum with these stats:
Threads: 22, Posts: 65, Members: 34, Active Members: 34

Is it best to make the forum 'closed' to unregistered users so it forces them to register, or let them view the forums even though there isnt much there yet. The site gets about 65 uniques a day and growing, but maybe only 10 of those people register per day

**kthdsn** · 09-10-2006, 02:37 PM

I don't see why you would want to hide your content from casual visitors, if I come across forums like that I leave and look elsewhere. Just my opinion, but you could end up driving people away.

**D.J.** · 09-10-2006, 03:10 PM

I wouldn´t close the forum, unless you have a very good reason.

**BamaStangGuy** · 09-10-2006, 03:33 PM

You do that and you will lose tremendous traffic oppurtunities from search engines.

**Icheb** · 09-10-2006, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kthdsn

I don't see why you would want to hide your content from casual visitors, if I come across forums like that I leave and look elsewhere. Just my opinion, but you could end up driving people away.

My thoughts exactly! :thumbup:

**007** · 09-10-2006, 05:31 PM

By doing this, you will not get indexed, and you won't get any more members. Most people won't waste the time to sign up unless they know for sure they want to be a member... Plus, in general, members don't click ads, so there go all of your Adsense profits too..

Keep it open!

**MK3Design** · 09-10-2006, 06:22 PM

Thanks alot guys, great info

**briansol** · 09-11-2006, 11:06 AM

i NEVER register on a forum i can't see. Would you buy a car without a test drive? :P

**Icheb** · 09-11-2006, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by briansol

i NEVER register on a forum i can't see. Would you buy a car without a test drive? :P

If it's a BMW, why not?

Same case with a forum. It has to have a good reputation, then I'd do it.

**D.J.** · 09-11-2006, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icheb

If it's a BMW, why not?

Not a really good point

**007** · 09-11-2006, 02:49 PM

Offtipic.com and WebmasterWorld.com both require registration before you can view threads. WebmasterWorld even charges money before you can get in.

I think these sites are a tad different than the normal scenarios though. They are both enormous.

**BamaStangGuy** · 09-11-2006, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 007

Offtipic.com and WebmasterWorld.com both require registration before you can view threads. WebmasterWorld even charges money before you can get in.

I think these sites are a tad different than the normal scenarios though. They are both enormous.

They did this after they became this big I believe

**007** · 09-11-2006, 08:20 PM

Oh I know. That was the point I was trying to make. Doing that to a new site is suicide.

**Mike** · 09-11-2006, 11:13 PM

Once you are established and strong, I think you can do this and actually increase your new membership rate.

The downside is, you reduce your income from most types of ads. The only ad type that isnt hurt by this is ads that are sold on a monthly rate.

Personally, I dont like it, as I am not really worried about new memberships by people who are just registering to view the site.

**imported_htmlmaster** · 09-13-2006, 04:35 PM

Never let guests post, but make sure they can read the posts. It gives them all the more reason to sign up.

**abohart** · 09-13-2006, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 007

Offtipic.com and WebmasterWorld.com both require registration before you can view threads. WebmasterWorld even charges money before you can get in.

I think these sites are a tad different than the normal scenarios though. They are both enormous.

What, other than greed, would cause someone to close their forum like that? I can't imagine a scenario where I would even be tempted to do that...