Not many Newbies?

I normally expect to get a rash of beginner "How do I do X?" questions this time of the year, folk registering just to ask the question.

On other gardening forums they are appearing in flocks as normal. Why not here?

 

How is this forum showing up on a google search?

 

Fourth from the top on a google search, no registrations pending

 

/3rd when searching Googling for 'gardening forum' and 2nd when searching for 'gardening forum uk',
but the other sites might appear to be more welcoming from what Google displays, GC's listing having "The only Gardening forum you will ever need! ... Aesculus, Nov 23, 2011. Palustris March 2014 Garden · Palustris, Mar 21, 2014. My little Jalapeno. Growing ..."

Could the text displayed with the GC link be changed so Google would show something more welcoming/explanatory/attractive than the other forums?

 

That's very interesting and odd. I wonder why Google has decided a three year old thread is most current and relevant to the search term.

 

I think the new ( well may be 18 months old ) site front page is very bewildering for a newbie. When you look at "Gardening Discussion" there are 25 subgroups each one in a small font - a little off-putting I think The banner subgroups we used to have , as we have starting with the "Classifieds " are a far better user display. Lets go back to the big banner subgroups !

PS : Do we really need 25 subgroups ?

 

When I joined, I was attracted by the content, not the headlines.

I think that most will look at the content, prior to registering, then the most discerning join here, quality over content every time.

 

'Random Photos' takes up a huge block of prime space.

'How to use Xenforo' as the description of the very first board a Newbie will see could be changed to something more descriptive/obvious.

(not being one afraid to criticise anybody)

 

I've just had a check. We're not doing too bad. 17 new users with at least one post have joined since the 1st April.

 

What's the target new join up/continued posting rates?

 

I don't think there is one. As long as the forum is alive, as in people can join up if they want to, and post, then all is good.

 

I've been posting mostly on "Another Site" - as I want to answer questions, rather than chat per se, its the area where I try to give something back on 'tinternet.

Anyways, over on The Other Site they are getting loads of new registrations and questions (much as I would expect for this time of year) ... and hence why I am there, more than here, of late ... but I would prefer to be "Here", as I like it Here , and thus am keen that the number of registrations and Newbie questions here increase

Do you have Google Analytics, or similar, such that you can put a Funnel on visitors to registration page, and see how many make it through vs. drop off the wayside en route through registration?

Probably some other metrics that are worthwhile too - such as the search terms that brings them here. Someone searching for "Keeping cabbage white butterflies off Brassicas" might well find the answer here, and then go away ... but someone searching for "Gardening forum" would be expected to be more likely to register, rather than just "browse", I reckon.

 

I put in 'Gardening Forum' and got a US site, but when I put 'Gardening Forum UK' this one was top of the list. Dunno if that's of any help...

 

I think the key is in Facebook , there are so many forum on it , I do admit myself I fell into it , for the simple reason that It`s easy to post pictures and just see all the pictures that member are publishing ....