[leg1tt]

I think it needs a custom theme, and I like a point system to make it competitive.

[Damdomy]

Every forum should have these initial features:
-Speed
-Uptime
-Looks (relevant to the forum topic)
-Content
-Activity

After you achieve all of those, you can think about some features that will make the forum "cool" such as:
-Shop
-Upgrades (don't, unless it's worth getting and content is unique to the site)
-Awards
-Custom graphics (user groups etc...)
-Ficons (do, do, do. It makes your forum look more appealing)

Hope i help ya ;D

[slapmyduck]

Every forum should have these initial features:
-Speed
-Uptime
-Looks (relevant to the forum topic)
-Content
-Activity

After you achieve all of those, you can think about some features that will make the forum "cool" such as:
-Shop
-Upgrades (don't, unless it's worth getting and content is unique to the site)
-Awards
-Custom graphics (user groups etc...)
-Ficons (do, do, do. It makes your forum look more appealing)

Hope i help ya ;D

Top part is correct. But the bottom part is personal preference. You don't have to have awards, groups, upgrades, etc. This is just HF copy status. I have a forum that just started and I wouldn't bring in awards until I had a reason to. Same with upgrades. Upgrades just make you look like your after money.