Initiate Mage
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2016
- Messages
- 36
- Reaction score
- 7
Portal pages are super simple webpages that a user first sees upon entering your website. Though the concept is simple, a lot of people either don't get why people use them, or don't get how to use them themselves, so I'm going to go over a few key concepts regarding portal pages.
Hopefully you can use these to make your own page, or enhance the one you currently have.
What NOT to do:
- Portal pages should be simple and easy for a potential player to understand. With this in mind, your portal (as it is often the first thing a user sees) should not be overly cluttered.
Over cluttering the page with unnecessary images, videos, links, etc. all distract from the main point - attracting players.
- Don't make it confusing for the potential player. Don't add a bunch of unnecessary links. You do not need a "vote", "rankings", etc link on your portal. Keep it down to the bare minimum.
What to do:
- Have only the important links on your page. Preferably at most a link to your forums/community hub, and a link to the main website. Place these links (perhaps buttons) somewhere aesthetically pleasing. I suggest not putting them at the top if the user must scroll down to see other content. Encourage the user to scroll down and glance at all the content before moving on.
- In the same boat, don't have too much content. Examples of good things to add are: images that show the servers unique (or not so unique) features, images of users socializing, images of bossing/PQs, promotional videos, etc. Keep these in an ordered fashion and make them easy to see, but not too "in your face".
- A logo. This is probably one of the most important parts aside from a link to your main website. At the top (or middle) you should have a clear and high quality logo for your sever. If your logo is low quality, or generic it will be very off putting as it shows little to no effort.
Final Remarks:
Please, please, make sure that your portal page A. works as intended. B. Looks great (or decent) no matter the size of the viewing window.
I've seen a portal page in which the logo pops up, but the links are hidden until you mouse over them. Very dumb. Don't do this.
Portal pages are not meant to be a source of great information to current players, they are there to help bring in new players, and convince them that your server is worth trying. Also I feel as if they're a preview of what's inside. You wouldn't want to buy a car without previewing it before, would you?
Not all servers need or should have a portal page. If your server is a generic server (I.E. not much is different), I wouldn't waste your time because most people will know what they're getting into.
If you're on the edge about using one, just try it out. If you see an increase in newer players, maybe it helped! If not, no harm done (unless the portal page was crap).
If you need further help, tips, or critique, let me know.
(Mods - I hope this is the right section)
Hopefully you can use these to make your own page, or enhance the one you currently have.
What NOT to do:
- Portal pages should be simple and easy for a potential player to understand. With this in mind, your portal (as it is often the first thing a user sees) should not be overly cluttered.
Over cluttering the page with unnecessary images, videos, links, etc. all distract from the main point - attracting players.
- Don't make it confusing for the potential player. Don't add a bunch of unnecessary links. You do not need a "vote", "rankings", etc link on your portal. Keep it down to the bare minimum.
What to do:
- Have only the important links on your page. Preferably at most a link to your forums/community hub, and a link to the main website. Place these links (perhaps buttons) somewhere aesthetically pleasing. I suggest not putting them at the top if the user must scroll down to see other content. Encourage the user to scroll down and glance at all the content before moving on.
- In the same boat, don't have too much content. Examples of good things to add are: images that show the servers unique (or not so unique) features, images of users socializing, images of bossing/PQs, promotional videos, etc. Keep these in an ordered fashion and make them easy to see, but not too "in your face".
- A logo. This is probably one of the most important parts aside from a link to your main website. At the top (or middle) you should have a clear and high quality logo for your sever. If your logo is low quality, or generic it will be very off putting as it shows little to no effort.
Final Remarks:
Please, please, make sure that your portal page A. works as intended. B. Looks great (or decent) no matter the size of the viewing window.
I've seen a portal page in which the logo pops up, but the links are hidden until you mouse over them. Very dumb. Don't do this.
Portal pages are not meant to be a source of great information to current players, they are there to help bring in new players, and convince them that your server is worth trying. Also I feel as if they're a preview of what's inside. You wouldn't want to buy a car without previewing it before, would you?
Not all servers need or should have a portal page. If your server is a generic server (I.E. not much is different), I wouldn't waste your time because most people will know what they're getting into.
If you're on the edge about using one, just try it out. If you see an increase in newer players, maybe it helped! If not, no harm done (unless the portal page was crap).
If you need further help, tips, or critique, let me know.
(Mods - I hope this is the right section)