Recently redesigned, like some feedback (esp SEO).

MINI2
MINI2 Forums

When logged in you get a different view (see attached) with member only links and information.

I may reintroduce a small welcome text/introduction/please register section, but I've not really noticed a downturn since I disabled that.

The "old" version can be seen by selecting "MINI2 Black" from the style chooser (bottom of page).

Most search engine traffic comes from Google, generally from searches for MINI Cooper and New MINI. We seem to bounce around the rankings, high as 3 or 4 one week, second page a week or two later, then back again, usually top 7 though.

Never paid to advertise anywhere, not sure in the value of doing so.

the main pages look ok, but the forum view looks really crowded.
General Discussion - MINI2

too many stickies with super long titles, icons everywhere... its a mess to read and very confusing i think, not to mention the 1000 pixels of useless space on my widescreen display because its set to fixed width.

there's validation issues...
Result for http://www.mini2.com/forum/general-discussion/ - W3C Markup Validator

ad blending coule be much better (and in turn lead to more profts)

the [] square icons for the new posts/no new posts look like check boxes. i actually tried to click one to see what it did... then realized it was simply an image.

i'm also still trying to figure out what your header logo is..... and i'm a car guy myself.

Fixed the <img> tag that was leading to verification images, somehow missed that before, thanks!

The image is the outline of a MINI, never had any problems with visitors to the site not knowing what that is. Assuming you mean the icon/logo and not the HUGE header images.

There is a "wide" version of every design option available to fill wider screens too. I (and most regulars it seems) prefer a fixed width design.

Anymore for anymore, especially SEO tips etc?

Also, as for advert integration, not sure how much more integrated they could be before it becomes tricking or deceiving users, something that drives me away from a site in seconds. Any tips?

Also changed the white, red (and pale blue) status icon boxes to "stripes", which fits in better with the logo II and the general MINI "bonnet stripe thing". To avoid any confusion with checkboxes.

Not all at once though people. Any more tips, esp SEO related that I could change, improve, or build in please?