I think you need good content and a combo of good graphics and codes, because you could have beautifully coded site, but default everything and it would still have a default plain look and graphics need codes to implaced properly. Then the content is what its based on

Well, that technically is true. The graphics and coding attract the members, the activity, and content is what should keep them.

Let me tell you what I go over when I am at a site.

First thing is the impression I get from the design. If it is really good I will look around after I've finished going to the page I googled. If it is so-so, I'll read the page and be gone. If it is hideous, I leave the site instantly. I'm sorry but bright green and pink do not make a good site.

Next thing is the quality of the content. If its good and gave me good info, I'll look at the other stuff on the site (disregarding the design for the most part, besides in the last case). Good info is the main key to a good site, design is just the first impression. You won't get people to stay long without good content.

The last thing is the amount and last date of the content. The content needs to be of a decent size and be constantly updated and added to. Nobody goes to a site that has 1 page or never changes.

Here is my opinion:

Is it the complex coding?
It can be, but not always... sometimes simple sites look nice. But having lots of complexly (if thats even a word) coded features on a site, is a great add on in my opinion.

The stunning graphics?
This for me is a key features, being a graphics designer myself (sort of ) i appreciate how the graphics have been made and put together to create a site. Graphics are the first thing you see when you visit a site (unless there are none) so if there good, they will attract you to stay and look around.

The helpful staff?
This is obviously after futher inspection of the site, and not just first impression. But i belive this is another key feature, if your staff aren't helpful, your never going to get anywere.

The uniqueness/originality?
This helps quite a lot, with the success of a site. If its new and original, something that no one has seen before (presuming its good), then that is obviously going to attract people to the site. Trendwhore sites get boring and will make people be less likely to like the site. Unless it is incredibly amazing, which does sometimes happen.

The detail or ammount of content/supplies?
This aswell as the staff, is an "after inspection must have" once you have been drawn into the site by the graphics, the site must have good content or supplies. Why would some one like a site if all it was, was good graphics and nothing else. A site with good content about a topic, or a forum with alot of constuctive conversation is very attractive. Also having supplies on a website or forum, such as graphics or codes, will help to bring in people seeking this kind of thing.

Well thats my opinion

For me, its activity, staff, and the members. I mean, they've all got to be nice and it has to be active. You can have a hideous site, with the coolest people you've ever met! You know?

Well, you all have excellent points.

Eric, your's seems to be more for research when attempting to learn something new, like a new coding language, or better techniques.

Craz, that's not necessarily true. For example, if the members are super nice, but the design is appauling (Take for example the colors Eric mentioned), would you stay? Or if the design was super amazing, but the members pissed you off to no end?

being able to fill out all the complicated crap that is associated with it...

I believe what makes a forum/ site great is a mixture of everything. I have been to forum with amazing graphics and coding. Very unique, but they treat new members like dirt. It has put me off and I've never went back. I like a community feel for the most part and I have got that from here as a first impression.

However, if somewhere has a nice community feel but the colours they use are boring into the back of your skull making you blind and you can't actually read the writing without fitting, then that would also put me off. The thing that matters least to me is the coding. If a site has lots of cool little features then thats great, but it doesn't mean the world to me.

So I guess thats what I think. Everything needs to compliment each other for a site/ forum to be great.

the more interesting a site looks the more hits it will recieve, plus theres the extra footage like downloads etc,

A good design topped with some nifty features through coding is a must. But the most important thing is content. One of the best sites I've ever seen really kind of sucks both coding and graphics-wise, but has such uber-tastic content, it makes it great. For those of you wondering, it's this site. It r0x0rz my s0x0rz!