Increasing sales with a forum?

Ed Callais

The one thing about forums is that the only validation of the information comes from the administrators.


For example: I could type in the forum....This is the worst product I have seen, ever.

But, if edited by the administrator in a forum format that does not show editing, it could be changed to this:

This is the Best product I have ever seen, ever.

One word change. Then the original author could be banned from the forum to rebut the edit. You could also have ghost users from the host company tooting it's own horn.

Forums, though a great tool, can be dangerous as well.


Ed Callais

Ed Callais

One more quick word on forums. Forums, if used properly, can be very effective for brand recognition.

If you build the reputation of your forum, it will build your reputation as a "goto" site.

Also, the mere mention of your company name will eventually show up in searches, hence the reason I use my name in forums on occasion.

terriz

I think you'd be able to tell if the forums are doctored. For instance if there were no complaints or bad things, that would make it obvious that the admin is editing. Most (if not all) product support forums that I've seen, show the good, bad, and ugly. You get to see how they respond to negative feedback -- and that in itself is an indication of quality.

My guess is that rather than sanitize their forums, those with poor products wouldn't have forums at all.