@jac Agreed. I think I’d take the below steps
For example, https://footballclubforums.com/ is the first in a Google search, but look at the layout and overall navigation. In all honesty, it’s not taking anyone’s breath away is it? However, the layout is simple, easy to read, and isn’t tough on the eyes.
Now in contrast, look at Cardiff City - https://www.ccmb.co.uk/forum.php
This is your archetypal old fashioned PHP based forum (like phpBB). What’s abundantly clear here is that despite the garish layout, the user base is huge.
This boils down to one factual point - content. Ask yourself why you would take feeds from other sites like this when the visitor can simply go to the same source as you have - and as an enthusiast, is probably already a member. Here, the content is being driven by the members themselves. For example, one member posts a topic for discussion, and then that same topic is then fed by other members adding their comments, thoughts, etc. Essentially, it’s self-generating and doesn’t need intervention from site owners. The content is 100% organic.
One thing I usually do in order to see how a site has grown over time is to look at the Wayback Machine
As you can see here, Cardiff’s forum has grown exponentially since it’s inception in 2016
Here’s another good example. I’ve been a member of this particular forum for years
But, look at their stats
Even with the onset of Social Media, the period of 2012-2018 was exceptionally active and if you were a user of this site, you’d know why. It’s because the information held here is not available anywhere else.
Now the hard part for you. You need to identify exactly what hasn’t been done before - a gap that hasn’t been filled, and then, well - fill it 
@phenomlab said in WordPress site:
This boils down to one factual point - content. Ask yourself why you would take feeds from other sites like this when the visitor can simply go to the same source as you have - and as an enthusiast, is probably already a member. Here, the content is being driven by the members themselves. For example, one member posts a topic for discussion, and then that same topic is then fed by other members adding their comments, thoughts, etc. Essentially, it’s self-generating and doesn’t need intervention from site owners. The content is 100% organic.
The issue really is County already have 3 or 4 forums, some of them have been around for years with a lot of members.
I can’t emulate that, for example this is the most popular forum with 828 users.
The second popular is this with 218 members.
Unfortunately there’s nothing I can do to emulate that and sadly the majority of the 11 users most are me trying to build up the post count etc.
Based on everything above and reading through the threads, maybe it’s time I shut down the forum?- it’s not giving up, or giving in, it’s just a product that isn’t going to work unless the others were to shut down, it’s just not going to happen sadly.
@jac said in WordPress site:
I can’t emulate that, for example this is the most popular forum with 828 users.
with 64 people currently viewing the threads.
@jac Instead of football, why not consider another topic ?
@phenomlab said in WordPress site:
Instead of football, why not consider another topic ?
Or as @phenomlab said, find a feature that others don’t.
Because when I see the first forum with 800 members, it has nothing to envy to another type of CMS
@phenomlab said in WordPress site:
@jac Instead of football, why not consider another topic ?
I honestly wouldn’t know where to start mate 
.
@jac What other interests do you have ?
@phenomlab said in WordPress site:
@jac What other interests do you have ?
Aside from Football and IT, I’d possibly do something like a blog & forum on Stockport really. Events etc etc.
@jac or believe it or not a church forum I do go to church now and again
@jac Both of these are valid topics, and certainly worthwhile perusing.
@phenomlab said in WordPress site:
@jac Both of these are valid topics, and certainly worthwhile perusing.
possibly yes, the issue would probably be as always there’s always plenty of other sites doing the same thing
@jac said in WordPress site:
possibly yes, the issue would probably be as always there’s always plenty of other sites doing the same thing
Yes, but then we go back to the same ethos of providing information or a service that the others aren’t
@phenomlab said in WordPress site:
@jac said in WordPress site:
possibly yes, the issue would probably be as always there’s always plenty of other sites doing the same thing
Yes, but then we go back to the same ethos of providing information or a service that the others aren’t
Very true Mark, I’d have no idea how I’d achieve any of this!
I’ve been that used to creating County sites/ football sites. That may be the best effort realistically to create a football based site where users write content on their club so you have a Arsenal fan who is classed as ‘Arsenal correspondent’ delivering match reports & news when possible.
@jac Yes, make it club agnostic - that way, it appeals to a far wider audience.
@phenomlab said in WordPress site:
@jac Yes, make it club agnostic - that way, it appeals to a far wider audience.
Absolutely! Still of course a massive task but one I could do .
@jac said in WordPress site:
@phenomlab said in WordPress site:
@jac Yes, make it club agnostic - that way, it appeals to a far wider audience.
Absolutely! Still of course a massive task but one I could do
I would unfortunately still look to close down the County forum.
@phenomlab said in WordPress site:
@jac said in WordPress site:
I would unfortunately still look to close down the County forum.
Ok
I’d be probably looking to see if the above is possible with Ghost either that or do a different idea like suggested.
@jac said in WordPress site:
@phenomlab said in WordPress site:
@jac said in WordPress site:
I would unfortunately still look to close down the County forum.
Ok
I’d be probably looking to see if the above is possible with Ghost either that or do a different idea like suggested.
Ultimately how would I go about shutting down the site mate? Obviously save a backup first?
@jac Pretty simple. We just stop the NodeBB instance so it’s not available anymore. Then yes, perform a backup of the database, plus all files. The server will of course remain.
