There are a few requirements that are imperative to a community (I call it community because there are so many different names; guild, clan, etc.) gaming website’s triumph. One of these requirements is a forum. I briefly mentioned forums before in another gaming web design post, but for this one I will delve into the specifics and give you some tips to making a successful forum. Not having a forum connected to your community web site is like declaring yourself legally defective. This is tip #1 people. Trying to make a name for your community website without having this valuable piece of your gaming puzzle is never going to happen. So for those of you who are advanced in the world of community website design and gaming, you’ll already know how to go about making a forum. It’s easy and quick to set up but there are some guidelines I’d like to give about it before you go all gung ho on me.

          #1 – When you create your forum, most likely, you are going to be one of the few people who is actually interested in using your forum. So make yourself the moderator/administrator/king of all your forum empire. As you start to build up members within your community more and more threads will appear and you may find yourself battling to moderate all the different threads. By this time you should have a few good friends within your game or on the website that you feel comfortable giving some moderator privileges to. This is something they should take seriously in that they will have to comb threads each day and delete spam and whatnot. Of course, you will still be at the top of the forum chain and if you need to replace a moderator, that decision is up to you.

          #2 – Secondly as the forum’s parent you should be posting on it! Because you the main man (or woman) people are going to believe that you are the end all know all, the answer to all their questions. Posting helpful information will always win people’s hearts over. And the more threads you have the more it looks like your site is used. This will draw others in to read what has been discussed (even if it’s just you talking to yourself). Not only should you be posting helpful information, you should also post about quests and get togethers within the game. Telling others what you are going to be doing and that they can join you is very inviting and makes you seem personable and a good leader.

          There are plenty of moderating tips that I could and will give. But this post is getting kind of long and I’d like to not have you reading a novel. Also, these first two tips are good start-up tips for any community gaming forum. It will take a little while before your forum is built up enough to have to worry about anything else for a bit. So enjoy the free time you have now because maintaining a website, guild, and forum is hard work and you’ll cherish the time you have right now. For more information on video game web design check us out at DreamCo Design – Video Game Web Design. For more information on other types of web design take a look at DreamCo Design – Web Design.

       Guilds, clans, alliances, fellowships, brotherhoods, factions, or communities, whatever you call it, I’m sure you have a website for it. Almost all on-line MMOs have multiple cooperative bands of people playing. It usually happens something like this; your in-game and a guild recruiter comes up to you asking if you want to join. You say yes. After all the entry mumbo-jumbo you are welcomed in and are registered on their website. You can go there anytime to look at upcoming community get togethers (in-game of course), to learn about your new in-game family, or to find some information supplied to you by your fellow clan-members. Think about how sorry you’d be to have joined the clan you did if their website reminds you of your grandma’s house. Boring and out-of-date. This is where video game web design comes into play.

        Now you join a clan whose website looks kick-ass. You suddenly feel relieved to know that your guild appears to know what they are doing and you trust them and the information they give. The quality of the web design directly affects the credibility of the website. This goes without saying for all websites, but more-so for video game websites. This is only because these people are in the business of gaming and graphics and such that their website should only reflect it. If your like me and couldn’t design a website to save your life, you can always go with a professional web designers. At least that way you won’t have to suffer the disgrace of having a guild with only one member, you.

          Video game web design is a lucrative field and any video game you play is going to have some sort of community web site. A couple things should be included on every guild website. These things are;

       1. A forum! This is essential. Communication is key and everyone is going to want to ask questions and exchange information. Forums are perfect for this. Make yourself and (once you get lot more people joined) a couple others admins for the forum, answering the most important questions correctly and sealing threads that are going nowhere or going into a bad topic. This is a great area for newcomers to the community because it is where they will find the best information on whatever topic they are interested in. Having a frequently used forum is one aspect of a good community. This will show potential members that in your guild, clan, etc. everyone is working together to make things easier and more enjoyable for others.

       2. A calendar! To show when quests, raids, or whatever it is that you can do together in the game your playing, when those things are going on. It strengthens the bond between your little family to do things together. Make sure you let everyone know when they can participate.

       3. Information! A basic information page when you first come to the website would be ideal. Potential members are going to want to check you out before they join so make sure your reaching out to them. Have information pertaining to what your guild is about and how joining can benefit them. Try showing them that you have everything organized and well put together. This shows a great outward appearance and will draw more and more people to your community.

        Hopefully this sends you on your way to being a proud leader and an effective one too. For more information on video game web design check us out at DreamCo Design – Video Game Web Design. For more information on other types of web design take a look at DreamCo Design – Web Design.