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mikachan · 17-01-2006, 21:59

Hi!! I am designing the website for the residence hall in which I live, which is a little difficult at times. When 20 people feel the need to vote on every design element, it gets a little nutty. So now that I finally have a design that pleases the whole comittee, nobody is looking at the site.

I've already included dining center menus, an events calendar and member profiles. I have links to all the other major university sites, and have a section to check on floor points (points awarded for going to hall events). I have a photos page and a section for the minutes, which is lacking since I can't get them from the president or the secretary. I have a message board that nobody uses and a suggestion box form which has never been filled out. I have a poll on the front page which elicited 2 responses.

Still, nobody looks at the site. Does anyone here know of any fun things that I could add to the site to draw more visitors? I would really like to make the site apply to the residents in my hall, but am out of ideas!!

Thank You so much!!!!!

Mika

emil · 18-01-2006, 01:43

Your copying & pasting skills are amazing...

http://www.designerstalk.com/forums/...ad.php?t=13732
http://www.designerstalk.com/forums/...222#post128222

What you need is to get your site accessible to search engine spiders, then you need to learn a thing or two about SEO (Search Engine Optimisation), increase the number of backlinks, etc. But your site might all be done in Flash, which means none of the above apply, but we wouldn't know, because you did not provide a link.

Emil

Red Cap · 18-01-2006, 02:42

Firstly, to attract more users, your fellow hall residents have to know the site exists - due to the small scale of your intended audience passing the word or flyering would be far more effective than SEO (sorry emil!). However more importantly you need compelling content. My university experience like many was characterised by lots of drinking - why not have a 'mate in a state' gallery? or organise events to advertise your site such as a pub crawl? a repository of hall meeting minutes is hardly going to generate interest.

emil · 18-01-2006, 03:02

I thought he was looking to attract web visitors.

I agree that if it's just the residents he's aiming for, word of mouth, or simple posters/flyers would do a much better job.

Red Cap · 18-01-2006, 03:07

yep SEO / good web practices cant hurt

pgo · 18-01-2006, 03:08

As a former RA, it's really, really, really difficult to get a bunch of cynical college students - especially those forced to live in a dormitory - to do anything. Good luck.

Flyers and posters and word-of-mouth would be your best bet.

17-01-2006, 21:59	#1 (permalink)
mikachan Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 1	Help for the Hall Hi!! I am designing the website for the residence hall in which I live, which is a little difficult at times. When 20 people feel the need to vote on every design element, it gets a little nutty. So now that I finally have a design that pleases the whole comittee, nobody is looking at the site. I've already included dining center menus, an events calendar and member profiles. I have links to all the other major university sites, and have a section to check on floor points (points awarded for going to hall events). I have a photos page and a section for the minutes, which is lacking since I can't get them from the president or the secretary. I have a message board that nobody uses and a suggestion box form which has never been filled out. I have a poll on the front page which elicited 2 responses. Still, nobody looks at the site. Does anyone here know of any fun things that I could add to the site to draw more visitors? I would really like to make the site apply to the residents in my hall, but am out of ideas!! Thank You so much!!!!! Mika

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18-01-2006, 01:43	#2 (permalink)
emil dt immigrant Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bucharest - Romania Posts: 6,971	Your copying & pasting skills are amazing... http://www.designerstalk.com/forums/...ad.php?t=13732 http://www.designerstalk.com/forums/...222#post128222 What you need is to get your site accessible to search engine spiders, then you need to learn a thing or two about SEO (Search Engine Optimisation), increase the number of backlinks, etc. But your site might all be done in Flash, which means none of the above apply, but we wouldn't know, because you did not provide a link. Emil

18-01-2006, 02:42	#3 (permalink)
Red Cap senior member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: auckland, nz Posts: 274	Firstly, to attract more users, your fellow hall residents have to know the site exists - due to the small scale of your intended audience passing the word or flyering would be far more effective than SEO (sorry emil!). However more importantly you need compelling content. My university experience like many was characterised by lots of drinking - why not have a 'mate in a state' gallery? or organise events to advertise your site such as a pub crawl? a repository of hall meeting minutes is hardly going to generate interest.

18-01-2006, 03:02	#4 (permalink)
emil dt immigrant Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bucharest - Romania Posts: 6,971	I thought he was looking to attract web visitors. I agree that if it's just the residents he's aiming for, word of mouth, or simple posters/flyers would do a much better job.

18-01-2006, 03:07	#5 (permalink)
Red Cap senior member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: auckland, nz Posts: 274	yep SEO / good web practices cant hurt

18-01-2006, 03:08	#6 (permalink)
pgo Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 12,358	As a former RA, it's really, really, really difficult to get a bunch of cynical college students - especially those forced to live in a dormitory - to do anything. Good luck. Flyers and posters and word-of-mouth would be your best bet.

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