When a new user registers on a forum, those first few minutes usually decide whether they stick around or never log back in.

There are completely different philosophies on how to handle that initial onboarding. Some forums set up detailed automated welcome emails with links to key threads and guidelines. Others use a dedicated "Introduce Yourself" board and push new members to post there first. Then there are webmasters who prefer manual, personal messages sent directly from staff to make newcomers feel noticed right away.

At the same time, a lot of communities barely do anything at all, preferring to let new users lurk or dive straight into discussions without any formal introduction.

I want to know how everyone here manages that first impression.

We've got an introduction forum. I hate welcome PMs and emails and have barely used either on any of my forums. It just comes across too automated.

I, too, prefer introduction forums for a humanly welcome to newly registered users.

I have an intro forum and a welcome PM although I have just had to update it as a lot of features changed. Downside of automated PMs & E-mails is that stuff changes all the time.

On Oct 10, 2026, Jigsaw said:

I have an intro forum and a welcome PM although I have just had to update it as a lot of features changed. Downside of automated PMs & E-mails is that stuff changes all the time.

I remember when I was operations admin at Bizdustry I had to make sure everything like this was updated.

If I were to own a forum, then I would welcome my members by sending them a welcome note in a PM. This is quite crucial due to the fact that personally sending a welcome note would really give a good impression. I would then ask them to introduce themselves in the introduction section.