Suggestions and ideas for the forum

[MiSO]

Ok, and maybe the travel-section as well. Well, we'll see how things go and flow.

[mimpimanis]

I think trying to make a travel section is not such a good idea. There are countless other Bali Travel forums and the thing that makes BEF different is because there isn't all the how many sleeps, where to buy, VIP VOA etc posts. I reckon the one branch as it is, is more then enough. :)

[bolli]

When VIPVOA posts start to monopolise, like 1 particular forum,, I'm outta here. :cry: :lol: :lol:

[JohnnyCool]

There are a few Bali and travel related forums. There is simply no way of pleasing everyone visiting the site.

Spicy...There are many Bali-related forums. Nobody can please everybody on any of them. Why would anybody in their right mind even try?

This forum is trying to wear two hats at the same time. It purports to be both a Bale Expat Forum AND a Bali Travel Forum. Nothing wrong with that, in principle.

If generating income from this site is part of your agenda, (again, nothing wrong with that - we all have to eat), wearing two hats and possibly growing an extra head is the way to go.

IMHO, the only 'unique' thing you've acquired is a small core of Expats who actually live in Bali (with various degrees of dementia). Priceless, in other words. I doubt that any of them are likely to click on-line ads here or even buy from them. However, I understand how click-through links, back-links, etc, can generate both some income and more traffic.

ronb wrote:

I think the assets of balipod.com are the archive, which is a mine of information and entertainment, and the current posters who are the life-blood.

I agree totally.

Maybe the entire archive could be saved into one down-loadable zip file for the sake of posterity. Software exists that can save entire websites, (including links), for off-line viewing. For example, httrack.

Real people make this forum. Keep them 'happy' and they won't go somewhere else in a hurry. Without them, what have you got left?

New color schemes, etc, are not very important. 'Content' and active 'participation' more so, to my way of thinking.

8)

[MiSO]

ronb wrote:

I think the assets of balipod.com are the archive, which is a mine of information and entertainment, and the current posters who are the life-blood.

I agree totally.

Maybe the entire archive could be saved into one down-loadable zip file for the sake of posterity. Software exists that can save entire websites, (including links), for off-line viewing. For example, httrack.

8)

Yeah, full of info, I agree too..but not always easy to find. The search engine doesn't work properly. Even if you type 75% of the words mentioned in the topic's title, it can't be found.

[spicyayam]

Why would anybody in their right mind even try?

Maybe I am just that kind of person :)

I doubt that any of them are likely to click on-line ads here or even buy from them. However, I understand how click-through links, back-links, etc, can generate both some income and more traffic.

I don't know if you know much about websites and the internet, but you are pretty spot on. In the webmaster world, forums are notorious for being time consuming and expensive to run and make very little for the traffic they generate.

I would be more than happy to bore you with the details as to why I wanted to buy this website if we meet up at some point. If you look at the other forums here in Bali, all are operated by people with some kind of business here.

I have some ideas for monetizing the site, which I will be testing over the coming year. But you are right again, the people who actually buy stuff are people who come across this site from google and not regular members.

Real people make this forum. Keep them 'happy' and they won't go somewhere else in a hurry. Without them, what have you got left?

New color schemes, etc, are not very important. 'Content' and active 'participation' more so, to my way of thinking.

I totally agree.

When VIPVOA posts start to monopolise, like 1 particular forum,, I'm outta here

What is a VIPVOA post?

I think trying to make a travel section is not such a good idea. There are countless other Bali Travel forums and the thing that makes BEF different is because there isn't all the how many sleeps,

I agree on this also. A few people mentioned "expanding" the travel section and it seems like a good idea, but I don't have any ideas right now how this will be done. The main focus of this site will not change. But I do like hearing people's opinions about the best places to stay and eat in Bali. There's nothing better from hearing from people who actually live there.

The search engine doesn't work properly. Even if you type 75% of the words mentioned in the topic's title, it can't be found.

I have noticed this also. I will probably try and incorporate Google search into the new version of the site. For now, if you go to google and type balipod followed by the thing you are looking for, it works pretty well :)

I appreciate all the feedback so far.

[mimpimanis]

What is a VIPVOA post?

:lol: :lol: :lol:

I can tell you don't frequent BTF very often :wink:

[MiSO]

Shoops...all these BTF, VIPVOA...pfff...

Spicy... you've got a lot on your plate mate...

As for the travel section:
Divide it in most popular tourist places (Kuta, Ubud, Lovina..Or even in East, North etc.)
Than section it again in Accomodation, Restaurants, What to Do's etc.

[mimpimanis]

As for the travel section:
Divide it in most popular tourist places (Kuta, Ubud, Lovina..Or even in East, North etc.)
Than section it again in Accomodation, Restaurants, What to Do's etc.

I think Spicy needs to be cutting back on forums rather than creating a load more....

I also think if he wants to go the way of so many of the other Bali Travel forums he will lose that which makes this forum stand out form the rest.....

[MiSO]

Well the info and the topics are already here, but it is unorganised.
So no need to create more, but it only needs a different set up.

And I'd say, don't be afraid to lose, just keep the eye on the core value of the forum.
Fear sometimes makes you want to cater everyone, and then you will end up with no-one.