Megan — Tue, 10 Dec 2002 14:33:02 +0000

I think this would be the case for any site. You have a defined target audience, you'll create your site with that audience in mind, but you're not exactly discouraging others from visiting.

cgrim2210 — Tue, 10 Dec 2002 12:42:57 +0000

I was aimed for teen but I guess anyone can use it.

The Webmistress — Tue, 10 Dec 2002 12:03:02 +0000

Megan, are you trying to say we are not cool here! LOL

I agree, don't try to cater to a particular age group as it will be very hard to move it along with your age, just keep it informal and fun. If you liked the idea of the planet what about webplanetforums?

Megan — Tue, 10 Dec 2002 03:17:11 +0000

I think you could say that a teen audiecne may generally have different interests than adults would. They'd probably be less interested in business and more interested in hanging out. Generally speaking, not always of course. They probably really like flash and things like that. They would use words like kewl and l8r that just don't fly here. I could see how you'd want to cater to teens, although maybe you could broaden that a bit just to attract a generally "cooler" audience.

You'd want to keep any business-focused forums to a minimum. Definitely have a forum for beginners, and one on flash. In this case you could even keep the general chat stuff towards the top, if you're assuming that your audience would be highly interested in that. Keep a funky colour scheme - including bright colours like purple, orange, lime green, hot pink, things like that. You could even go with a black background - "cool" people would like that.

Busy — Mon, 09 Dec 2002 20:43:41 +0000

I don't think the age thing should even be a factor, on the web, age is only a number. Apart from the post in the general section of this forum, no one would know how old everyone is.
I know some young teenagers that would blow some older adults away, then again I know some adults that would blow some teenagers away.
Most teenagers that are into web design/development etc are serious about it and would hate to be included insomething that had mickey mouse ears on it, they'd want a stock enchange look and feel.

I think you have to pick a market, since there are so many "general" webmaster forums around, pick a topic and go with that, you can always branch off later.

Why does the name have to be webmaster ... ? why not something like webworld, webcentral, (to early to be thinking this hard lol) or even go humorous "interweb forums" we have an ad on tv and the old guy says i signed up for that interweb thing (meant to be internet).

cgrim2210 — Mon, 09 Dec 2002 17:24:32 +0000

I need a new name. Webmaster Planet is already taken. I was thinking of something like Webmaster Hangout or Webmaster Central. If your hame any suggestions for names please let me know.

The Webmistress — Mon, 09 Dec 2002 16:05:23 +0000

What are the types of sites you like going to, as a teenager? Have a good look at them and then pick a colour scheme based on the things you like from other sites. For the logo I would find a planet image (doesn't have to be the earth) and put it behind your 'Webmaster Planet' done in a unique font. You could even find some little alien people to represent different things to tie the theme together. Have a look at Alien Dingbats as there are loads there and you may get some inspiration from there!

We suggest starting small with your forums and expanding, rather than having loads of forums to begin with, as when you are starting out it's better to have a few fuller forums rather than loads of empty ones.

Megan — Mon, 09 Dec 2002 14:23:46 +0000

Okay, I don't think it's a good idea to plan on changing your audience. It's going to take a long time to build up a good user base. You don't to have to start all over again in less than a year. I do think the "Webmaster Planet" name is much more teen friendly than the others you've posted. It would also be easier to work with as far as colours and logos go. "Webmaster Central" is too general - it's going to be harder to generate interest with such a generic name.

Next time you post a message check out the vBCode link - you can use some simple html-like code to do simple formatting, including a special quote tag. That will make your message easier to read when referencing others.

cgrim2210 — Mon, 09 Dec 2002 13:23:39 +0000

Hi Everyone,

Over the weekend I was looking at all to replies to my review request, I came across some interesting post that I not have replied to or want to add a to those replies. So I will reply to or add on to those post now (Please Note: The quotes below are portions of the original reply and are those that I want to reply to) Posted by Busy on Nov 28,2002 “ I find myself looking at cartoons for colours these days, like shrek (yeah also i’m a big kid), but blue, white and grids etc. have been done to death, one of my sites layout change was inspired by an iron (white, grey/blue, orange) and another idea is solid black, thin orange, wide white (seen on tv advert)” It is interesting how you can get color ideas form your environment such a other website and tv. “ With Webmaster Planet you may decide to cater to a younger, “cooler” audience. Maybe you think people at other forums are too old and boring, too businesslike. You want something informal. You want a design that is funky and “with it” to attract the type of audience you want”’ Just a hypothetical situation- you’ll have to decide for yourself what kind of community you want” Posted by Megan on Nov 28,2002. I think that I was trying to aim it at the younger “cooler” audience such as teens. I personally think that the other webmaster forums are aimed for the more “mature” audience and are some what boring and businesslike. I want the forum to be simple and interesting so that teens won’t get bored viewing the forum. “ I’m guessing i’m asking the same questions everyone else is asking themselves.What makes your forum special? You’ve made it much harder for yourself because you can’t get away with being just special, you have to be very special because of the “annoyance factor.” Posted by pmj7 on Nov 29, 2002 “What is the annoyance factor?” and what does it have to do with me? As I said before it is primarily aired for Teens and because I’m and teenage myself at 17 I think that I can relate to other teenagers that are webmasters. I think that I can help out giving Webmaster advice to other teenage webmasters. When I turn 18 on August 18 I will aim for the adult audience and provide advise and suggestions for the “Adult” audience. I also have a few questions that I would like answered: What do you think about Webmaster Hangout or Webmaster Central for the name? I prefer Webmaster Central, but what even one you think I should use I will use. If you have any suggestions for the name please let me know. What would be a good funky color scheme? Why should I start with a small number of forums and build up? Where can I find information on building a online community? I would really appreciate any advice anyone can provide.

Regards,
Casey Grim

cgrim2210 — Fri, 06 Dec 2002 15:05:37 +0000

Quote: Originally posted by Megan

http://cgrim2210.suddenlaunch.com/

Now you've got "webmaster hangout". I still think that "planet" was a better name but whatever. Most of what I said above still stands. It seems that you're cating your forum to general chat... not sure how successful that will be. There' still waaaayy too many forums. Colour scheme is okay but looks a little sitepoint-ish. A better logo is still needed.

If you think "planet" was better then I will change it back to planet. I'm having trouble finding a logo. Can someone help me find a logo? I'm still working on the site everyday to to improve it. I will put the important stuff on top and in the middle and the less important stuff on the bottom. What do you think a good color scheme would be? Please Help!!

Reguards,
Casey Grim