Guild Websites

[Mocha]

I have recently searched for ways to improve communication not only in the guild, but between guilds themselves too. I have considered many possibilities, but I decided that many could benefit from having a guild website, especially one where guilds themselves can become partners with other guilds. The site is very easy to use and takes no development skills whatsoever, but on the contrary if you want to do some advanced coding, this site is fit for you too.

GuildPortal.com allows the creator of the site to do many things, such as adding widgets, developing forums, appointing officers, creating a calendar, and even a "to be created" order form for enchants etc. This site can even take inventory on your guild bank and also display your roster. There is a feature that I have not yet explored where I believe guilds can form "alliances" with other guilds.

Many physical properties can be customized either by using pre-developed themes, customizing off of them, or completely creating your own. This is said to be the most customizable guild site out there (other than a completely independent site)

I feel that some guilds should take initiative in creating their own guild site, not only to connect with other guilds, but to use this site as the domain for several things, such as guild youtube videos, contests, events and more. The goal is to keep guild members connected no matter what obstacles fall in the way, and also provide a sense of community within guilds and amongst other guilds.

There is a forum section which I feel shall not, and will not take away from TI, because these forums can be set to private for mere inter-guild communication and discussion.

Yes you can also set a feature to allow guests to view what classes/specs you need and apply respectively for them.

Do I expect many GMs to create a site right now or even partake in this idea?
Possibly not.

Do I feel this will solve any and all issues that are proposed to be in the bracket, no matter how relevant or irrelevant towards guild issues they may be?
Aboslutely not.

What do I feel this site will do?
I feel the ability to communicate with others in the guild, simply by opening a new tab can create seamless communication between guildmates if used appropriately. I also feel that this site can go hand in hand with youtube videos, which can be used to promote guilds, show focus and determination through playstyle, as well as allowing others to review matches and use them as learning tools to better your game.

I will post my test site to create an example of what a site could possibly look like:
Here

Let me know what you think / if you decide to partake in this.



Stay Bloodthirsty my friends,
~~Møçha~~





(By the way, "Stay Bloodthirsty My Friends" was coined by Møçha)

 

[Balditron]

This is amazing. Thank you so much Mocha. I would donate if i had the money and vote you for MVP but sadly I dont

http://ssdd.guildportal.com just created in 2 minutes and getting to grips with what this thang can do!

 

[Pizza]

I find myself being able to get in contact with my guildies very easily through Real ID, Facebook, and vent. Given they're not online, I have most of their numbers and can text them.

I can see how a guild website could help advertise your guild, but for communication within the guild, no. There's just so many better forms of communication now-a-days.

Technology has opened up so many options for us.

 

[Balditron]

I find myself being able to get in contact with my guildies very easily through Real ID, Facebook, and vent. Given they're not online, I have most of their numbers and can text them.

I can see how a guild website could help advertise your guild, but for communication within the guild, no. There's just so many better forms of communication now-a-days.

Technology has opened up so many options for us.

Agreed, but I am going to try this out for the inter-guild relationships that this site can offer through the "Alliance" Feature detailed in Mochas post.

I think it'd be superb for the community if guilds got to know one another better cross server rather than just remaining within their own clique.

Edit: Considering the nationality differences and expensive charges for calling/texting abroad its not really worth it for myself to have non UK guildies phone numbers, and Facebook isn't as popular here for some reason. So I can definitely see what you are saying, as if my guild was UK only it would be ideal for calling/texting and facebooking, but it does look a bit strange when "Adam Strachan" posts something english on "Kalle Engstrand"'s 99.9% swedish page. So I think Mocha's idea is definitely going to be of more use to us here on the EU servers.

 

[chilltink]

we currently own a website, which can be found @ Queueing Is The Best Bit.

 

[Mocha]

I find myself being able to get in contact with my guildies very easily through Real ID, Facebook, and vent. Given they're not online, I have most of their numbers and can text them.

I can see how a guild website could help advertise your guild, but for communication within the guild, no. There's just so many better forms of communication now-a-days.

Technology has opened up so many options for us.

Some points you make are completely reasonable and valuable... however, we happen to have several members from Canada and I don't feel that texting / calling out of the US is a viable form of dependable communication. Likewise, not everyone in the guild has a Facebook/checks it and/or are not even friends with each other on Facebook. I really like the features I have on my site, such as a real time chat, which really brings members into guild chat even if they are not in game. Also, it is far less of a hassle to notify someone on a website than wait for them to get on in WoW, or send an in game letter.

If there are so many greater ways to communicate with the community, guilds, and guild members, then why do several thousands of people rely on twinkinfo in order to keep in touch or even just casually chat?

GuildPortal is not any more stressful nor unreliable than twinkinfo, yet it is also not nearly as strong as TI in respects to forums and a sense of community.

Also, GuildPortal is very friendly towards new members, meaning that, a new member may not have everyone's Facebook, a vent info, or real ID, yet it is as simple as accepting a guild invite in order to be a part of this exclusive guild website, by which (hopefully) every member in the guild will be active on.

Edit: In fact it is as simple as checking Facebook or TI, or an E-Mail via the site mailing system. And I'm sure many would appreciate having a separate social networking site for their WoW life than their real-life Facebook. I know I would.

 

[Dorigon]

Well, since you asked what we think, I think it's bound to be difficult to keep up any level of activity when TI itself is so slow. But there's nothing to lose by trying, so whatever.

 

[Squidgy]

but it does look a bit strange when "Adam Strachan" posts something english on "Kalle Engstrand"'s 99.9% swedish page.

Just because of that I'm gonna post something swedish on your 99.9% british page.

 

[Blinka]

Some good ideas for theory on using the website. I setup a website that had all those features at begining of the year. Paid for the extras to be able to communicate via forums and other ways. Probably was..... it sat there and no one used it. Hope you have better results on implementation.