It Takes a Village... to Critique a Village... :)

[Lora]

Hello All

I have had my Ning network for 4 years now and I would love some feedback and perspective and any suggestions I could use to improve my site. I think I am doing everything I can....

The site is The Vintage Village and we are a Social Networking site and a Promotional Networking site for people who buy & sell Vintage & Collectibles.

Membership is FREE, only the people who want to partake of the promotional services have to pay. I also generate some revenue by doing ads from my members with links going to their perspective shops online.

I keep the main page as a virtual lobby and members and viewers can navigate their way from there to groups and discussions and items for sale.

At first glance, do you get the idea that you can buy & sell and that it's also a community? Do I get that message across clearly?

Out of 2400 members, on average about 120 pay me. Keep in mind that most members are buyers and enthusiasts. :)

My main issue is increasing the amount of paid members. If you were a seller, why wouldn't you sign up for the service?

Are there other Ning features I should be using?

Thanks so much in advance to anyone who takes a look and can offer any input!!!! :)

[Writer Chick {Diane}]

You have to add a special code to your Advanced Appearance box to get that to work. 

Add to Advanced/CSS.

body {background-size:100% 100%; background: url(YOUR BACKGROUND IMAGE URL GOES HERE)fixed center top;
}

[Lora]

Where do I put this exactly? Am I just adding it to the top or replacing something? :) I am not very tech savvy.... :(

And url??? You mean the <a href= code?

[Writer Chick {Diane}]

The URL is the link to your image. I host mine on Photobucket, but you can host them on your own site in a blog.  It doesn't matter, just as long as it's somewhere where it will stay and not be accidentally deleted. 

The code goes in your site's appearance editor, in the Advanced area. 

[Lora]

right.... but where in the advanced box??? :) At the top, the bottom? Replacing an already existing line.... :)

Sorry if I am being dense! :)

[Writer Chick {Diane}]

I always put any new code at the top of the rest. 

[Fire-Tech]

I forgot to mention that it would look cleaner if you centered your navigation tabs as well. Here's the tip for that. PM me if you need help on the other stuff, but it's easier than you think.

Thanks Diane. Doing too much at once. I wasn't explaining the stationary very well :)

[Lora]

Thanks guys... these tech tips will be very helpful! You guys are great! :)

[Lora]

How do I... or can I center the banner?