Need Some "Community" Ideas/Suggestions

[Skyhawk]

I am a new member here and I have been playing with an idea for a website. It is a "community" type of site that is geared just for adults. I have set up a forum for discussions, a "dating/hook-up section, free classifieds and a chat area. I want to keep this a local for local kind of place where all the ads and activities are localized for my area. I don't want any world-widekind of traffic.

Anyway, I would like to add a section where the locals can give a review of their favorite eatery. I would like to have a section where they can share their thoughts about what's the best in the way of the nightlife out here.

I am also tossing back and forth between whether to add a "traditional" type of dating section for singles looking for "go to the movies or dinner" type of dating. There are so many of them out there already, I just don't know if it's a good idea to waste the time and effort setting it up.

What I would like is to get some ideas or suggestions on the best way to do this. I don't really want to have it in the forum - I would like it to be it's own section. I would also like to hear any ideas or suggestions that ya'll might have to add to or improve on this idea.

If you want or need to see the site, it's HERE. If you visit the site, keep in mind that it is NOT complete yet.


Thanks for any input . . .

[corneo]

I've seen this done before (this type of dating). The biggest complaint from the public was "people never respond". Which of course gives you a bad name, because they have to blame somebody.

On your front page, instead of talking about your site, do a scroller of upcoming events in the area. (not news stories) That will bring people for that if nothing else.

Older crowds read and get confused easily. Keep your pages as clean and simple as possible.

Don't go over board on subjects. It's easier to add subjects than to remove them. If you remove them you look like your unorganized.

Forums are nice, but can be a headache. Start with a few subjects of the area. If people see "0" post and responses they'll think nobody comes to your site. Lose the PHPBB board and spend some money and get VBulletin. PHPBB are hack all the time. You'll piss off people if they have to resign back up on a new forum.

Think out your subjects, I've never seen classifieds work for a site that wasn't set for ads and selling.

[bobchrist]

You can also create a group at facebook targeting users of specific country/region and start promoting. Here is the example.