First impression is EVERYTHING, why did people bother joining here in the beginning? It had potential, the design is KEY to attracting members and without them you don't have a forum. I wouldn't bother joining yours unless it was very large and it served a purpose (e.g to plug my site and advertise) but I would join if the skin wasn't default simply because it gives me the impression that you take pride in your work and really do want the website to succeed.