Designing a website that includes an online forum – or one that has many discussion threads can be a difficult task. There are many things to consider, such as whether comments should be anonymous, whether users can create their own account, or can sign up through social media websites. The user experience of one of these websites is particularly important and for this reason I use wireframing software to draft my designs. For me it’s important to look at the different possible states of a page. This includes a blank state – i.e. an article that has no discussion below, or a new thread that has been started that has no text. Then I look at how interactions and discussions can take place, including a possible sign-up process and submission process of content. With wireframing software, this is particularly easy to do, as you can copy and edit pages as you like. You can also add in some interactive elements, such as comment boxes and submit buttons, so that end users can simulate your prototype before you settle on a final design.
It is important that users feel encouraged to submit content and comment, if this is an integral part of the website. If you are thinking of designing an online forum, look at sites such as Reddit and Quora. Also look at the comments section below articles you see online. Here you will quickly be able to assess best practices and what the best things would be for your site. Remember that user feedback is really important, so show the designs you have created with your wireframing software to potential end users and see what areas can be improved.
