Registration Not Required
Registering at a website is not an uncommon practice. But it is something that may prevent visitors from using your site.
Think about it, when you get online you want to get information and fast. Too many sign-ups or sign-ins will prevent getting the information quickly.
Even worse is when you have to go through a registration step just to get to the information or products you’re looking for.
So, today I thought I’d address the proper use of registration.
Only When Required: Sure, you want information from your visitors. And there’s a lot of ways to get that information and the most efficient is to require registration. But take the opportunity to make it only required information. Don’t make registration required to comment on your blog or just to collect e-mail addresses for your newsletter.
Purchasing: If you have a shop, shopping cart, or some sort of purchase on your site it’s understandable to require registration. This is particularly true when you’re going to have to ship the products. But don’t require registration just to shop. Make registration the last step to checking out. Requiring registration just to shop around will cause you to lose visitors and sales.
When it comes to your blog, there should not be a requirement to register just to leave you a comment. If you’re looking for interaction on your site, you’re losing many potential long-term readers by requiring registration.
Mashable for example allows you to register. But commenting is still allowed if you’re not a registered user of their site. Options are good.
If I’m running around the net looking for information chances are I’m in the process of working on something. And whatever it is that I’m busy with is certainly going to be more important than registration.
Fighting SPAM: Registration at a website is often used to fight against spam. That may initially sound like a good idea but certainly it’s not. Spammers can still register. Using alternative methods to fight against spam will help.
Use Akismet. It’s now coming with your install of WordPress, activate and use.
Moderate. I can stand to have my comment awaiting moderation if you’re going to actually take the time to look at my comment and approve it (or deny it as the case may also be).
Verification. There are so many plug-ins for verification during commenting. Simple math problems (2+1=?) and type in the following word. It’s simple and effective.
If you’re just setting up your website, consider alternatives before requiring registration.
Established site? Re-evaluate if you’re happy with the amount of interaction you receive on your site or the sales you get. If registration is a step, try not requiring it to see how much further you can get.
Technorati Tags: Registration, SPAM, Comments, Shopping, Websites, Web Design, Blogs, Spam Comments, Plugins, WordPress, Akismet, Mashable, Moderating Comments, Verification
February 16th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Katy,
I could never understand why blogs would ever require someone to register to leave a comment. It’s a royal pain and will drive commenters away. I feel the same about moderating comments. People like the instant gratification that their comment displays instantly. I do get some nasty comments and spam on my main unmoderated blog but Akismet intercepts most all spam and I delete the occasional unpleasant message.
Web 2.0 is, in my opinion, about making interaction easy for people. Don’t put up barriers to dialog. Also, along those lines, I try to respond to comments quickly.
February 16th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Sol » I never understood it either. I’ve been known to unsubscribe from blogs in my RSS when I realize that to leave a comment I must register. If the blogger is really looking for feedback from their readers, they need to make it easy. The last thing I want to have to do is register to share my two cents.
I get you about moderating as well. Typically, I don’t moderate. However, when I’m about to write a post that I know is a very hot button issue, I turn it on (like right now). But I also have it clearly noted to those that are held for moderation that it’s only because they are first time commentators and the next comment, won’t be held.
Akismet seems to do a good job on only catching spam for me. It’s only every once in a great while that I find it’s picking up comments. But I check that, several times per day.
You’re correct about Web 2.0 as well. But people are still going with the barriers, to keep control.
Responding to comments, 100% on of my top priorities when it comes to my blog and I have noticed that since I keep up with it, people often return to comment again. Everyone likes to feel validated and leaving a comment that goes unnoticed by the blogger is a quick way to turn me away.
February 16th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Katy,
Yup, you do an outstanding job of keeping up with your comments. I see that.
Happy birthday in 4 days.
February 16th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Sol » Thank you and Thank you!!! :D