Get MORE Facebook Fans & Likes
Weve been discussing the ways in which Web 2.0 can help with website promotion, such as multimedia, user reviews, and wikis. Today, well talk about the role of discussion boards also known as forums in website promotion.
Virtually every website owner who has had a discussion board can attest to the fact that forums are a double-edged sword. On the one hand, theyre unparalleled in their ability to add stickiness to a website. A good forum will draw users who will invite their friends and who will add perceived value to your site at virtually no cost.
On the other hand, though, unchecked forums can lead to the downfall of a site. Rudeness, profanity, and other bad behavior by users can ruin a sites reputation, and such behavior is, unfortunately, commonplace. Yet, while forums require intense moderation, heavy-handedness can also cause registered users to turn on the sites owners.
The bottom line? Forums are a two-way medium, and you cant always control the message. When they work out, they can create a loyal following, but if you decide to launch a forum, be prepared to constantly put out fires.
Putting the shoe on the other foot, it can definitely be worth your while to participate in other sites discussion boards. Ideally, you should select sites that are complementary to yours and reach the same target audience, but that are not your direct competitors. Typically, you can create your own signature on a discussion board that includes your URL. If you become an active participant and a valued contributor, you can drive traffic to your site.
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I have been doing SEO for 15yrs now!
Chris Robertson
