I do not have a general discussion forum, all of my forums are niche forums. I don't even have an off-topic section on my forum. I think we need to build niche forums in order to bring members interested in a particular niche and also bring traffic because when you have a specific niche, SEO and digital marketing becomes easy.
Off Topix: Embrace the Unexpected in Every Discussion
Off Topix is a well established general discussion forum that originally opened to the public way back in 2009! We provide a laid back atmosphere and our members are down to earth. We have a ton of content and fresh stuff is constantly being added. We cover all sorts of topics, so there's bound to be something inside to pique your interest. We welcome anyone and everyone to register & become a member of our awesome community.
Niche Forums Vs. General Discussion Forum
- Thread starter nomad
- Start date
Some off-topic forums can make it, like this one, but most do not.
I tried my own hand at it. It was hard to keep active. I like talking about specific topics. I'll probably post in this section more than anywhere else on this forum haha.
A good off-topic forum needs to have some kind of unique selling point. Be that age or content or some kind of specific community.
It all boils down to the people in the end.
I tried my own hand at it. It was hard to keep active. I like talking about specific topics. I'll probably post in this section more than anywhere else on this forum haha.
A good off-topic forum needs to have some kind of unique selling point. Be that age or content or some kind of specific community.
It all boils down to the people in the end.
General discussions are fine because everyone can use them and have a say. However, if you want to build organic traffic and build revenue, niche forums can be better.I prefer general discussion forums because I am not really passionate about any one subject. I like to talk about anything and everything.
I have found way more friendships and connected better with people on General Chat / General Discussion forums than I have a niche forum such as video games, anime/manga, or anything entertainment related. Pro wrestling has been the worst out of any entertainment medium when it comes to discussion.
So basically I have found that I've formed friendships on GD/GC forums way better than any niche forum. I've met people on here I never would have ran into before for example.
I honestly was not even looking to make any sort of new friends or so, but it just happened naturally.
So basically I have found that I've formed friendships on GD/GC forums way better than any niche forum. I've met people on here I never would have ran into before for example.
I honestly was not even looking to make any sort of new friends or so, but it just happened naturally.
Yup, that is the issue with a lot of GD/GC forums. It's just hard to keep it active and even get members posting threads and even replying. I am not passionate about one thing, but rather many things. This is why I like GD/GC forums more than anything nowadays tbh.
I think a lot of it has to do with luck too. Like for example when a hugely popular website shuts down or closes their forums like when IMDB did, the first ones to jump on that and recruit members from the sinking ship have a better chance at gaining more new members. I however always managed to miss the boat .. lol
Yep, I've seen some people even do an NSider forum when Nintendo closed down their official forum years ago. It got some success to it, but then overtime think it just died down.
Actually I went and looked, and it appears sort of around?
NSider2
The Busiest and Best Nintendo Community on the Web!-NSider Skyloft-Knight Academy-Gossip Stone Cave-NSider Central-NSider Announcements/Help Board-Introductions-NSider Arcade
forums.nsider2.com
Not near as active as it used to be many years ago or so, sadly! What you said is true, though.
General Discussion forums are good in theory as it allows for a broader demographic of people to sign up, get involved and post varied discussions, however that genre is tired and the market is oversaturated, so I feel new forums popping up need to have something different that pulls people in.
Niche forums are a good idea if it's a popular theme.
Niche forums are a good idea if it's a popular theme.
Yes, they are overdone IMO. I honestly think what was said above is true about them. It's just hard to keep activity on them unless you offer something a bit more.
I wouldn't say the market is oversaturated. Forums are a dying breed and there needs to be more of every genre of forums (general discussion forums included).
