Is a chat box a good idea?

[Shawn Gossman]

They say the chat box or shout box ruins a forum's engagement because it takes away from the forum.

That's definitely true in many cases. However, so does an off-topic section if you really want to focus on the niche aspect of a forum. So, if engagement and activity is what you're after, a chat or shout box could aid in that even if it takes away from the forum.

Does this chance your mind? If not, why not?

 

[B.F]

It could be another way for people to promote forums, but probably spam will come. Maybe it could work depending on the chat box.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

It could be another way for people to promote forums, but probably spam will come. Maybe it could work depending on the chat box.

In most cases, you could prevent links from being posted on them. I use a shout box on my vBulletin forum and people are unable to post links in them.

 

[Heatman]

I don't like the chat box feature in forums. I hardly use in most forums it's added. Most of the time, it feels like the chat box takes away the real discussion in the forum by having users focus on chatting instead of using the board.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

I don't like the chat box feature in forums. I hardly use in most forums it's added. Most of the time, it feels like the chat box takes away the real discussion in the forum by having users focus on chatting instead of using the board.

Most of the time I would agree but as you know, I have one on OTF and it seems to be okay when comparing the small talk in it versus what should be posted on the forum.

 

[Heatman]

Most of the time I would agree but as you know, I have one on OTF and it seems to be okay when comparing the small talk in it versus what should be posted on the forum.

Yeah, I've been using it on OTF once in a while whenever it gets interesting.

Although, I would have preferred it to be carried out in a thread in a forum not on the chat box because in most cases, the conversations on the chat box do not contribute to the total post or comment count in the forum.

 

[wasanoth]

Personally, I think that a well-used shoutbox can boost the atmosphere and retain members. As long as the important discussions remain on the forum, it just creates a more direct link.

 

[Heatman]

Personally, I think that a well-used important discussions remain on the shoutbox can boost the atmosphere and retain members. As long as the important discussions remain on the forum, it just creates a more direct link.

Unfortunately, the biggest problem with shoutboxes is taking away important discussions on the forum and having more activities on the shoutbox. I've seen it happen over and over again in so many forums.

 

[PJMC1986]

It gives people another way to stay active on the site. A busy shoutboxes makes site looks more active in my opinion.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

It gives people another way to stay active on the site. A busy shoutboxes makes site looks more active in my opinion.

I don't disagree.

Sure, it takes away from the forum, or at least the traditional way of communicating on a forum.

But like you said, it might be what keeps a forum active.

If your forum (anyone watching) is dying, maybe try a chat box and see if that brings life to it. It would be interesting to experiment with.