Ebb and Flow of user activity

[kerrya]

This is our first year of running a forum, and we have been building slowly but satisfactorily.

Lately, we have seen a substantial drop off in user activity and I'm just wondering if anyone is experiencing this.

We cater to a lot of "stay at home mom's" and part of it may just be that kids are out of school and parents are much busier at this time of year. But I can't help but wonder.

Our new sign ups are down by 2 thirds

Our new threads and posts down by half

Logged in users down by 2 thirds

Anyone else seeing this? Is this just summertime?

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

Kerry

[SNN]

I think the problem is that people are getting laid off from work, we (kids) are on vacation, etc.
My forum has dropped activity since May, but not by much. Made ~1700 posts this month on a small forum.

[cheat-master30]

I haven't as much had a problem of activity going down this year (it was actually at it's peak recently), but last year I knew exactly what you meant now. Activity slowed right down and stayed down until about September time or later when it shot back up again. I'd say it's the same reasons as posted here, more people on holiday, less time spent indoors on the internet, general other plans for the month. Don't worry though, if it is that your members are busier this time of year, keep posting and keep your forum's activity up and the activity will probably rise about autumn/winter time again. This whole idea of activity drops also becomes less noticeable when a forum gets larger as well.

[kerrya]

Thanks. I guess I'll just hold my breath till fall :)

Kerry