Recently I added an option of subscribing to the newsletter to my site www.roadtobonanza.com. A newsletter is meant to notify users of the new content (articles) which will be added to the site once or twice a week. I used phplist to build this newsletter service; by default it asks from a user just to enter an email and to confirm it, but as far as I understand I can set more attributes as required to enter in order to get subscribed. So my question is: should I set some additional attributes or should I leave this option untouched? For example, I can ask users to enter their names... Do you like to be adressed by your name in such mailing lists or do you prefer impersonal letters? Won't the neccessity of submitting personal info irritate people? From your experience, if you set some attributes in addition to an email, but don't require people to provide this info, how many users will fill those additional fields (20%, 50%, more)?
Can you allow people to choose the option of including their actual name or not? I usually don't care either way; what bothers me are those email senders I don't know who treat me as if I am their buddy when I don't even know them. Err on the side of giving people as much room as possible.
I would say that unless you really need or can use the extra information, don't ask. In most cases all you really need is a first name and email address and your list will grow much faster if that's all you ask for... BGLefty
I can set a new field and make it a required or a non-required one. (As for including an actual name, I haven't yet figured how it works - I mean, in this case a new variable should be added to the list't template, I haven't yet figured how to add it, but there should be such option).
Think you are right here... Personally, I rather avoid mailing lists that ask for tons of personal information.
Opting out is the best way. Typically, when a site requires too much information I just move on. Create an atmosphere of trust and you will do well.
Just to add my two pennies worth I think someone is more likely to sign up if only their email is required - anything else just makes me say I can't be bothered and move on. Does PHP list send out the emails to the list too? One thing to make sure of is that the recipients can't see the names (email addresses) of the other subscribers. Just a privacy thing - like sending out as BCC's. Cheers, p.