Introduction of a new Moderator/Administrator
- Thread starter MisterB
- Start date
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By all means see to it that the forum profile for certain search terms rises up the rankings.
To me one of the best things about this forum is the spread of participants on both sides of the Irish Sea. Don’t restrict your vision to being a UK forum only.
To me one of the best things about this forum is the spread of participants on both sides of the Irish Sea. Don’t restrict your vision to being a UK forum only.
chaumi
Rookie
Yes, I am sorry. That was an oversight on my part, and wherever I said 'UK' it should read 'Ireland/UK' ...as the two countries with the greatest interest (and history) in the subject.
PS If I search 'horse racing forum' on Google.ie I do get similar positions. That's not unexpected, the two often correlate well (with limited experience).
It's interesting to note that UK/Ireland focused forums do even appear in US searches (also not entirely unexpected, though). Including this one, although a bit further down.Equally, it shows for Australia, but again in the lower reaches.
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chaumi
Rookie
Yes. Of course, outside traffic could be those people that have bookmarked the site or just know it but never felt the need to become a member. But on a forum with the age and volume of posts that this one has, you would expect there to be traffic to many existing long tail terms - just not enough traffic.
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- Joined
- Apr 30, 2022
- Messages
- 66
Hi all,
On holiday at the moment, but just to chime in -
By pizazz I mean having this site properly branded. There is not much branding here, and it would be a great idea (in my opinion) to raise the appearance a bit - up and away from the default vBulletin style here.
SEO is a big deal, so we will need to upgrade the forum software to a newer vB version that can be used on one's phone. Google, like most search engines nowadays, downgrades your SERPs when you are not mobile friendly. I am speaking from experience here
I will have a bit more time this upcoming week to start poking around a bit and seeing how the traffic is behaving.
And yes, you are correct - visitors on a site out number those logged in around 4:1 or so - maybe a bit higher here since the new registration was turned off (it's on now). We have had only a handful of new members signing up (not bots or spammers): legit persons. I am hoping to increase the numbers here of good well informed horse racing fans, and newbies as well.
As for monetiszing the site for Colin's family, that is pretty much a no-braineer for me. I can get the costs here cut down to about £0 with my little helpers and volunteers, and bring on some new clients.
On holiday at the moment, but just to chime in -
By pizazz I mean having this site properly branded. There is not much branding here, and it would be a great idea (in my opinion) to raise the appearance a bit - up and away from the default vBulletin style here.
SEO is a big deal, so we will need to upgrade the forum software to a newer vB version that can be used on one's phone. Google, like most search engines nowadays, downgrades your SERPs when you are not mobile friendly. I am speaking from experience here
I will have a bit more time this upcoming week to start poking around a bit and seeing how the traffic is behaving.
And yes, you are correct - visitors on a site out number those logged in around 4:1 or so - maybe a bit higher here since the new registration was turned off (it's on now). We have had only a handful of new members signing up (not bots or spammers): legit persons. I am hoping to increase the numbers here of good well informed horse racing fans, and newbies as well.
As for monetiszing the site for Colin's family, that is pretty much a no-braineer for me. I can get the costs here cut down to about £0 with my little helpers and volunteers, and bring on some new clients.
barjon
Conditional
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- Aug 2, 2020
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- 3,426
Desert Orchid
Senior Jockey
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2005
- Messages
- 23,773
Agree wholeheartedly that the UK/Irish mix is great.
Same here. The input from the Irish people is invaluable.
geordiecolin
Amateur Rider
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2021
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- 33
Hi all,
Firstly, I have some sad news to bring to you in case you don't already know. Colin, (dvds2000 ) your host and site owner/webmaster of Talkinghorses.co.uk passed away suddenly in March. It was a shock to us - especially to his family. His funeral was last month.
I have volunteered to get this site up and running to its full potential. Some of you might know me - Bryan Bailey from Casinomeister.com - I have been running that site since 1998. ColinSunderland (dvds2000) was one of our esteemed members there. He contributed a hell of a lot to our forum, and was a very active member with our community.
For those who don't know me, I have run the Casinomeister forum for about 24 years - since its inception (1998), I am well versed with this forum's software (vBulletin) as well as the software we are using at CM (Xenforo). The only changes you will be seeing here in the near future is the forum layout and design. I will be ridding the site of the generic default design, and give it some pizazz. I will be bringing in some volunteers to assist as well, and I hope in the next month or so we will be seeing the forum become a lot more active (SEO, getting ranked better in the SERPs, etc.).
I don't know much about horse racing - so I might be recruiting volunteers to assist with content
The bottom line is that I am doing this for Colin's family. I intend to get the advertising going on this site as well so that they can still have a supplemental income.
Anyway, I just wanted to let you know what's up.
Thanks!
I just want to tip my hat to Brian and his team for ensuring the legacy of Col continues.You are doing him proud and I have no doubt his family appreciates it immencely
Geordiecolin
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Desert Orchid
Senior Jockey
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2005
- Messages
- 23,773
Can I draw the mods' attention to the comments about unwanted private messages in the Chit Chat section and ask what can be done about reporting said messages and blocking/banning those that send them?
I'm a moderator DO but seem to have lost all the moderation tools either when the website was updated or because we have new ownership.
In fact I have the same issue myself and I can't resolve the problem with my own inbox let alone anyone else's.
I think the only active moderators were Roger and myself, and with Roger sadly no longer with us, and me being unable to do anything I think we are currently un-moderated, unless our new owner happens to look in at some point.
In fact I have the same issue myself and I can't resolve the problem with my own inbox let alone anyone else's.
I think the only active moderators were Roger and myself, and with Roger sadly no longer with us, and me being unable to do anything I think we are currently un-moderated, unless our new owner happens to look in at some point.
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2022
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- 46
Hi All,
Apologies for the lateness in responding here and actioning what is needed to be doing housekeeping wise. I know it is Bryan's intention to get some mods on board. However, in the meantime if anything is needed to be done, please send me a PM as I get notified via email as and when one is received. During the working day, I am likely to be very responsive
Cheers!
Dave
Apologies for the lateness in responding here and actioning what is needed to be doing housekeeping wise. I know it is Bryan's intention to get some mods on board. However, in the meantime if anything is needed to be done, please send me a PM as I get notified via email as and when one is received. During the working day, I am likely to be very responsive
Cheers!
Dave
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