Growth How Do You Stand Out from Competitor Sites?

[Cpvr]

What sets your forum apart from the rest? Why should someone choose your community over the competition? Whether it’s unique content, a welcoming atmosphere, or standout features, finding your edge is key to attracting and keeping users engaged.


If you ever feel like your forum isn’t quite measuring up, what would you change? More interactive features? Stronger moderation? A fresh marketing approach? What are some strategies that help forums stick out from the pack?

 

[dorky]

I think it's the atmosphere and the members that you really want to stand out against others, and I think having regular contests is also a winning point for me to keep members involved and posting!

 

[Cedric]

For me, it starts with identifying what’s missing in existing forums. Are they too rigid in their rules? Do they lack certain features or a sense of community? Once I pinpoint those gaps, I build the forum to fill them. Maybe it’s a more welcoming atmosphere, a unique layout, or exclusive content that others don’t offer. Or something as simple as faster response times or a more active moderation team. And I'd rather do it on my own community then someone else. That may sound a bit selfish, but when I pull the plug, it's my choice, not theirs.

Also, every forum has its own vibe, and I'd rather be in my own vibe.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

When it comes to forums, I typically don't try to compete that much. I am in it more for the community, the social aspects, and connecting with people who want to be friends online (and sometimes offline, too).

Now, blogs are different for me. I profit from them. I do competitive analysis on top blogs in my niche and look for GAPS concerning the pain points of our shared audience, and then I write high-quality content based on those questions and needs.

 

[InMyOpinion]

I love this question! And here is my reply =) In an industry where networking is everything, my forum provides a one-stop hub for models, photographers, makeup artists, designers, and other creatives to connect, collaborate, and stay updated—without the chaos of scattered social media groups.

Unlike other forums or groups that are limited to one aspect of the industry, my forum is designed to be an all-in-one professional space, blending class, sophistication, and a touch of playfulness. It was built by someone in the industry who understands the struggle of having to juggle multiple platforms just to stay in the loop.

Here’s what makes us different:
Curated, high-quality connections – No spam, no noise, just real opportunities.
Exclusive industry insights & updates – Stay ahead with the latest trends, castings, and events.
Business exposure opportunities – Members can have their work featured on the front page and beyond.
Engaging discussions & expert advice – Learn, share, and grow with professionals who know the business.

This isn’t just another forum—it’s a refined, high-value community for creatives who take their craft seriously. I've visited a lot of forums in the past but they usually only focus on one industry, they don't tend to have all of the industries together which is crazy because usually these industries work with other creatives so it makes sense to have a space where all of them have a place to go, network and grow together.

 

[Nomad]

Since most of the people are building websites by using content management systems or website builders most sites look identical. You might try new theme or templates but these will also be used by other people so appearance wise, you cannot stand out. The only option left is the content. Your site needs to have unique, well written, and quality content. People come to your site for the content and you can stand out from your competitors only by publishing good content

 

[Al]

I guess I'm quite fortunate with https://sanctuaryshatteredsun.net in that I don't have any direct competitor in the niche. I have the only forum about this particular game and I also have a direct link to the game creators as I am their community manager (one of, but clearly the best - obvs).

 

[Cpvr]

I guess I'm quite fortunate with https://sanctuaryshatteredsun.net in that I don't have any direct competitor in the niche. I have the only forum about this particular game and I also have a direct link to the game creators as I am their community manager (one of, but clearly the best - obvs).

I’m also fortunate—I used to have a competitor, but they’re no longer active.


My forum is the only one in this niche, and we drive a ton of traffic to games in my industry every month. For some games, I’ve tracked over 400-500 referrals through my link through their referral system.


A new game launched about two months ago, and after adding it to my directory, I’ve already sent 75 referrals their way.


I also rank for many top keywords in my industry and have strong connections with game owners and artists.