forum data

[SAE05]

Data taken 8-30-08 @ 9am EST. I thought this would make for an interesting discussion. Having studied other forums where there were sites with nearly the same topic categories and similar layouts how does one site seemingly grow so much faster than the other? In no way am I attempting to alienate one site or another, these are purely some observations.

5G got a 3 month jump on C5. From a sociological standpoint it seems that there may be more chemistry on 5G than C5, again JMO? An empirical view would suggest that threads on C5 command more interest considering that 5G has 35 topic categories as where C5 has 24.

C5 having 1130 more members, roughly 31%, there are fewer threads started than 5G at 32% but, 41% more posts. What I see is a trend that perhaps the C5 threads hold members interests a bit more since there is less of them but more posts to them or, it may be a matter of there is just more rambling. Why is this? 5G offers a wider grouping of topic categories, has a larger proportion of threads yet again, fewer posts by 41% as compared to C5.

Start
5G 1-29-06
C5 4-29-06

[The_Blur]

I like your sociological view of them: that we have more interest in our threads while they have more threads.

I wonder how much of a role referrals have in growth?

[MerF]

I see it as our threads have substance. Quality over quantity. I'm a forum-addict myself, and usually when I'm really digging something I tend to be registered on multiple sites, but since the day I signed on at Camaro5 I've been more than fulfilled and have never felt the need to go to 5thgen.

I just love the fact that we don't put up with bad info here, and as a community we are quick to point out repeat threads and they get merged with a stunning regularity, I'd be willing to bet a good 5% of our thread count is lost due to topic merging. That would also account for the higher posts per thread count.

All said and done I'm sure both have their strengths, but Camaro5 has a homely feel that I feel is a perfect fit for me.

[GTAHVIT]

I see it as we just get along with eachother better. And the senior mods (Tag, Dragon, Killer, DGthe3) have kept this site on point extremely well.

[09'Z28]

correct me if i'm wrong but wasn't Killer74Z28 a mod before DGthe3?

and i believe it is Quality over Quanity (but i'm not a member there so )

[GTAHVIT]

Originally Posted by 09'Z28

correct me if i'm wrong but wasn't Killer74Z28 a mod before DGthe3?

and i believe it is Quality over Quanity (but i'm not a member there so )

But, you are a member here so that's what counts.

[09'Z28]

Originally Posted by gtahvit

But, you are a member here so that's what counts.

yep

[SAE05]

Originally Posted by The_Blur

I like your sociological view of them: that we have more interest in our threads while they have more threads.

I wonder how much of a role referrals have in growth?

I am sure referrals play a role to what extent is unknown other than to look at geographic concentration provided the member lists their location, this may give some insight into that. IDEA . . . a member map. Depending on which search engine you use and descriptor, C5 always follows in the listing to 5G.

Originally Posted by MerF

I see it as our threads have substance. Quality over quantity. I'm a forum-addict myself, and usually when I'm really digging something I tend to be registered on multiple sites, but since the day I signed on at Camaro5 I've been more than fulfilled and have never felt the need to go to 5thgen.

I just love the fact that we don't put up with bad info here, and as a community we are quick to point out repeat threads and they get merged with a stunning regularity, I'd be willing to bet a good 5% of our thread count is lost due to topic merging. That would also account for the higher posts per thread count.

Good analytical assessment. There is no doubt aesthetics play a part as in visual appeal. 5G again has more topics and people may find it too busy though on the flip side those left brain individuals may prefer the additional structure of 5G. People tend to join partially based on post count. That gives them a sense of wow, there is a lot of activity on this site kind of feel.

A couple of things stick out to me in the visual department. C5’s forum page uses blue fonts for their forums topic list which is found to be slightly more appealing to people on a computer screen and in the same breath, the last post column uses a contrasting color that compliments the visual appeal along with the softer gray and brighter white background without the heavy lines breaking up every section.

Lastly is the seemingly excel, block type arrangement of 5G main forum page where with every section there is a line separating each of those blocks not allowing your eyes to easily follow across the page. Its subjective but rooted in your subconscious.