Will it be worth it for me?

I've heard about vBulletin SEO from many many sources. I've also noticed some of the largest vBulletin websites that I visit have vBSEO enabled. I recently launched my second vBulletin website 10 days ago. I started small promotion, we've grown to around 35 members with 2000 or so posts. That alone was far beyond my initial expectations for site growth.

I originally started the website as a personal fan project, but now I find that maybe it has the potential to grow into a much larger community if given the chance. My site is still small, but we've claimed the #5 spot on Google for the search query I was after. I'm not so much interested in generating revenue as I am in driving traffic to the website & signing up members.

Like I said, this has been a personal project of mine. And for a personal project, the $160 for a vB license and another $150 for a vBSEO license does run high for a pet project. So, will the product be worth it for me?

Some extra info...My website is based around the Halo video game series. I already know of 2 major Halo vB forums. I'm worried about how difficult it will be to become established with such major forums already running for years compared to my own...

Edit: Is there also a test script available to make sure everything will run properly?

The test script is available on our downloads page:
http://www.vbseo.com/downloads/

If search engine optimizing your forum to enable it to gain more Web traffic is something you are interested in, then you simply have to decide if the licensing fee is acceptable to you to support your hobby.

If you plan to make this a long term project you wish to continue to grow and improve, then SEO will certainly help with that growth.

Another question regarding server requirements, does the server need to run both Zend Optimizer & Ioncube or just one or the other?

Ran the server test script and it looks like I'll need to install Zend/Ioncube.

Just one or the other.

Alright, another question. I just installed the Zend Optimizer software to the server. Except when I run the test.php script, it says, "This test script was unable to find Zend Optimizer on your server and was unable to successfully run Ioncube. Suggestions and install instructions are to the right of both Zend Optimizer and Ioncube above." Zend Optimizer still says no.

But when I view the phpinfo, it says that I have Zend Optimizer:

with Zend Extension Manager v1.2.0, Copyright (c) 2003-2007, by Zend Technologies
with Zend Optimizer v3.3.0, Copyright (c) 1998-2007, by Zend Technologies

Please open a support ticket. The tech team will try to help you with this.

http://www.vbseo.com/tickets/

Wish I could, but

To access the support system must upgrade.

Only vBSEO owners have access to the support ticket system.

Originally Posted by Keith Cohen

Only vBSEO owners have access to the support ticket system.

Well that hardly helps considering one would like to know if the software will even function properly before buying it. And evidently, it won't...

If you have Zend or ionCube on your server, it will work. The test application cannot always detect.

Originally Posted by Imperial

Wish I could, but

Sorry about that.

If you purchase the support team can help you with the configuration. In the event, that we were not able to do so, you would be provided with a refund.

Originally Posted by Joe Ward

If you purchase the support team can help you with the configuration. In the event, that we were not able to do so, you would be provided with a refund.

Alright, seems like I have nothing to lose if the product won't work. I've made the purchase, now awaiting email/confirmation.

Welcome aboard!

I'm curious, what's the update on this? As I'm on the same page as you Imperial.

Your feed back would be greatly appreciated.