Some forum members may be surprised or even annoyed by the fact we want them to follow some easy, but strict rules regarding creating new topic subjects.
Why creating a good topic title is so important? Aside from search engine or marketing aspects, there is one - perhaps the most important - reason: usability .
Imagine neither user has cared about what a good topic subject should be and create a subject what most of us would probably create without a second thought -- some very general and meaningless phrases, words, or statements.
Here are some examples:
1. User wants to find out about best restaurants in Warsaw. Their first topic idea: Question. Their second topic idea. Help please.
2. User wants to find out about average teaching salary in Poland. Their first topic idea: Salary? Their second topic idea: Teaching.
3. User wants to learn about popular food chain restaurants in Poland. Their first topic idea: Restaurants. Their second topic idea: Urgent.
4. User wants to know the English meaning of this phrase: "Jak sie masz?". Their first topic idea: Translation. Their second topic idea: Help please!
Now, if you look around and check the existing titles of the forum threads, you'll notice we try very hard to avoid such meaningless and repetitive topic subjects. It takes time and determination. Is it worth it? Hopefully it is appreciated by most of the members.
For those who don't appreciate it, below is a screen-shot of how an average forum thread page would look like if there were no topic title creation rules or moderation. Which of the listed subjects would you find most appealing and useful? Would you like to take your time to click on each link just to find out the discussion isn't really on something you have imagined it to be based on the topic title? Perhaps not...
PolishForums.com
Why creating a good topic title is so important? Aside from search engine or marketing aspects, there is one - perhaps the most important - reason: usability .
Imagine neither user has cared about what a good topic subject should be and create a subject what most of us would probably create without a second thought -- some very general and meaningless phrases, words, or statements.
Here are some examples:
1. User wants to find out about best restaurants in Warsaw. Their first topic idea: Question. Their second topic idea. Help please.
2. User wants to find out about average teaching salary in Poland. Their first topic idea: Salary? Their second topic idea: Teaching.
3. User wants to learn about popular food chain restaurants in Poland. Their first topic idea: Restaurants. Their second topic idea: Urgent.
4. User wants to know the English meaning of this phrase: "Jak sie masz?". Their first topic idea: Translation. Their second topic idea: Help please!
Now, if you look around and check the existing titles of the forum threads, you'll notice we try very hard to avoid such meaningless and repetitive topic subjects. It takes time and determination. Is it worth it? Hopefully it is appreciated by most of the members.
For those who don't appreciate it, below is a screen-shot of how an average forum thread page would look like if there were no topic title creation rules or moderation. Which of the listed subjects would you find most appealing and useful? Would you like to take your time to click on each link just to find out the discussion isn't really on something you have imagined it to be based on the topic title? Perhaps not...
PolishForums.com
Meaningless titles
Large