Website Redesign: Opinions Wanted

[Admin]

Hi all - the past several months I have been in the process of talking to several professional web designers to get this website redesigned (basically, I am provided with a template and I take care of the rest). I have never been completely happy with the current website (takes up only part of the screen, I've always had menu problems, and so on). Although all suggestions would not be able to be incorporated, I would very much like to hear all of your opinions...please post here or send me a PM.

How will it be paid for? I'm sure you are all aware of the http://www.alftv.net/alfdvd.html page? Whenever someone clicks on one of the links and buys something from Amazon, this website gets a commission. This money has been building up for several years, and now it is time to put it to good use (I used some of the money a couple years ago for a summer contest, and hope to start that up again on a more regular basis in the upcoming years). When I started this website it was not for the purpose of making money, and in the end I want to see that every dime this website has made is put right back into promoting ALF. I think a new design would help with this. Benefits that I see:

1) Better search engine rankings (the current template is not "SEO friendly")
2) Ability for me to update the website easier and more efficiently - I have a LOT of stuff on my computer that has never made it onto the site, and this would be an opportunity to see that happen. I want to see many more pictures (i.e. some form of picture gallery) on the new website. I've been working on a MASSIVE episode guide and the current template makes it very difficult.
3) I am toying with the idea of a "members only" area. I've been thinking of making all multimedia (clips, etc.) and cast interview questions members only content...I have to think on it some more. I also want to get permission to upload ALF comics.

I've also been heavily interested in restarting an "ALF Fan Club" and this could also be an opportunity for that to happen...

Although I do not think any of this could happen inside of 2-3 years, I just wanted to get a large head start and talk with you all.

[Admin]

Oh, and I'm especially interested on hearing your thoughts on how to promote the forum better...I have it posted everywhere! I get at least a dozen emails a month regarding ALF (the "I love your site" emails, and the "do you know where I can get a new ALF shirt" questions) and I always put a plug in at the end of my replies...doesn't seem to help though.

[ALFicionado]

I like that you put so much effort into this forum Jeremiah, and look into the future as well. It's nice to know this place will be here for years to come. I've been a member on other forums who have shut down, if this place would I don't know what I'd do, it's my favorite place on the net!

As for design, I honestly don't know. I'm no good at those things, unfortunately. Now promoting, I know some stuff about. I've experienced the same difficulties with my forum, getting the word out and such. One thing I think you should do is create a Youtube account named after the site, and link to the site & forum on every video you post there.

[Admin]

Good plan! I'll have to do that pretty soon...if I don't start on that within a week kick me! Someone recommended something similar to me a while back...and of course I forgot because I didn't write it down.

...if I don't write it down, it ain't happening, lol