Cafe Announcements 📣 What is your opening page on the Café?

[Wonko]

It may be time for a rethink of the layout. I have been wondering about the forum list and whether everything could just be all in one big forum but with filters to find topics

I often look at the forum where a post is located, that way I have a better idea of what it is about. But another way of labeling the posts would be just as good for that purpose.

 

[Pete Thomas]

I often look at the forum where a post is located, that way I have a better idea of what it is about. But another way of labeling the posts would be just as good for that purpose.

Can you explain further?

 

[atwl77]

It may be time for a rethink of the layout. I have been wondering about the forum list and whether everything could just be all in one big forum but with filters to find topics

Generally speaking, on very high traffic forums I tend to start with the forum list and only go into the specific topics I'm interested in and browse from there. But for low traffic forums like here, one quick glance at the New Posts (at the bottom of the home page) covers it all for me.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Generally speaking, on very high traffic forums I tend to start with the forum list and only go into the specific topics I'm interested in and browse from there. But for low traffic forums like here, one quick glance at the New Posts (at the bottom of the home page) covers it all for me.

It’s now looking like very few people use the forum list. So this is where I need to rethink things as it’s using up a whole big chunk of the main navigation.

But OTOH maybe that is useful for new visitors to see what the forum is about ?

 

[atwl77]

But OTOH maybe that is useful for new visitors to see what the forum is about ?

I can't speak for anyone else, but that's generally what I'd look at if I were to visit a forum for the first time.

 

[Pete Thomas]

I can't speak for anyone else, but that's generally what I'd look at if I were to visit a forum for the first time.

Not the home page then?

 

[atwl77]

Not the home page then?

I suppose that depends on how the website is organized. On some forums, the home page is the forum list. On others, the home page may be something else, in which case I'll look for the forum list to see what it's like there.

 

[PiccoloPirate]

If I'm not logged in, I hit the NEW button, on the home page.
If logged in, IIRC, the only way to view threads, that I've posted in, is with the forum list.
Prior to using a smartphone, I heat up my pointer finger, and reshape it, into a point.
It gets a blunt front, and hits too many touches.
I guess Cellists must use their bow hand?

 

[Vetinari]

The bookmark on my tablet opens to home page but then I immediately switch to new posts.

 

[Pete Thomas]

The bookmark on my tablet opens to home page but then I immediately switch to new posts.

Why not bookmark New Posts?

If logged in, IIRC, the only way to view threads, that I've posted in, is with the forum list.

 

[Vetinari]

Chrome can be unpredictable on my tablet. Not fault with Café. It reverts to home page with other sites as well.

 

[mizmar]

new visitors

I'd'v thought most (potential) new users would land in the middle of a thread having clicked on a link to a post in search results. From there? I guess it varies; find the home page? Be attracted by a "Similar threads"? a blog? Recording ? A link to TTS?
Maybe a question would be if the stuff at the top and bottom of a thread page is engaging. I think it is... Except Quick Links.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Except Quick Links.

Ah yes. That's in the sidebar (which goes to below main content on mobiles)

Any ideas?

 

[Nick Wyver]

Points

And what do points mean?😀

 

[mizmar]

Ah yes. That's in the sidebar (which goes to below main content on mobiles)

Any ideas?

Not really, I think there lots of attractive next-clicks.
I don't know if the forum software provides any analytics on where someone goes after flying in from a search result.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Log in or register to view this reply.

 

[Pete Effamy]

Log in or register to view this reply.

 

[Pete Effamy]

Log in or register to view this reply.

 

[Pete Effamy]

Log in or register to view this reply.

 

[mizmar]

Log in or register to view this reply.