A big part of my role with GrandOldTeam is to make it as accessible as possible to all segments of the fan base.
After a comment from one fan, I asked a few Blues to visit and give me some feedback. One area was consistent and pretty damning, and that was it isn't easy to find the latest Everton news/opinion on GrandOldTeam.
As an example. Deulofeu signed. There was a Deulofeu thread, started way back in June 2013, starting with "Who the hell is this lad?" posts - they had to wade through a lot of pages asking who he was, before posts about him signing in the first instance, then posts about hoping he stays, then about him over in Spain, then loads about maybe he'll come back... to find the most recent discussion.
Another point was that on first glance, it wasn't easy to see the latest news. Threads titles were overly vague.
All fair points. Our 'visit' to 'register' to 'post' conversion is pretty poor, meaning loads visit, not many register, and even fewer post. I'm pretty sure this could be a reason why. Loads visit from social media/email/google, then struggle with navigating the forum.
So, in an effort to improve - we're adapting the Everton forum's 'megathreads' threads for next season - by megathread, I mean the massive threads that cover one broad topic.
It's a small change, but one that I think will really help. From 1st August, we'll be creating threads per season. An example will be individual player threads. Rather than a transfer thread from years back becoming the place where all subsequent discussion remains on that player, we'll be creating threads like "'2014/15 Performances' - James McCarthy";
These threads will use thread prefixes, so you can click them and instantly bring up all similar threads. So clicking '2015/16 Player Performance' will bring up all threads relating to player performances - like so;
James McCarthy renewing a contract, would warrant a new thread. As would any comments he makes to the media etc.
The above should give us a healthy balance between new, current thread content, and keeping the forum organised.
After a comment from one fan, I asked a few Blues to visit and give me some feedback. One area was consistent and pretty damning, and that was it isn't easy to find the latest Everton news/opinion on GrandOldTeam.
As an example. Deulofeu signed. There was a Deulofeu thread, started way back in June 2013, starting with "Who the hell is this lad?" posts - they had to wade through a lot of pages asking who he was, before posts about him signing in the first instance, then posts about hoping he stays, then about him over in Spain, then loads about maybe he'll come back... to find the most recent discussion.
Another point was that on first glance, it wasn't easy to see the latest news. Threads titles were overly vague.
All fair points. Our 'visit' to 'register' to 'post' conversion is pretty poor, meaning loads visit, not many register, and even fewer post. I'm pretty sure this could be a reason why. Loads visit from social media/email/google, then struggle with navigating the forum.
So, in an effort to improve - we're adapting the Everton forum's 'megathreads' threads for next season - by megathread, I mean the massive threads that cover one broad topic.
It's a small change, but one that I think will really help. From 1st August, we'll be creating threads per season. An example will be individual player threads. Rather than a transfer thread from years back becoming the place where all subsequent discussion remains on that player, we'll be creating threads like "'2014/15 Performances' - James McCarthy";
These threads will use thread prefixes, so you can click them and instantly bring up all similar threads. So clicking '2015/16 Player Performance' will bring up all threads relating to player performances - like so;
James McCarthy renewing a contract, would warrant a new thread. As would any comments he makes to the media etc.
The above should give us a healthy balance between new, current thread content, and keeping the forum organised.
