What do you think of a forum site that does not allow a guest (it can be you) to browse the site. At times we are not ready to register and we just want to check what's going on there. And how do you feel when you are being stopped from browsing the site?
There are several other options. Some forum packages allow guests to browse X pages before asking them to register. Alternatively, you can allow guests to browse certain areas of your forum and make them register if they want to see others. Generally, I do not use these tactics but I can see areas and niches where you might want to...
It depends on what system you are using. For example if you still have phpbb2 I would choose to allow guests to watch every single thread. Because Google is like a guest there and they won't index your site if you won't give them an access. For example I would close the forum if they would not allow me to read firstly and they would ask to register.
From my experience I just forget the forum site and think of not coming back again. I like DP because, when I was still a guest, I felt that I was already part of the site. Then one day I decided to register here.
if you need something or wana see or wana read somthing imp then you have to register thats the only at lol cheers
Unless you are an already huge forum which does not need to rely on new user registrations I wouldn't do it. I think it's ok to disable certain premium sections.
Yes, prohibiting guests from seeing SOME areas of your forum can have the reverse effect - it can often mean more sign ups, simply out of curiosity; people will sign up to see what it is you are hiding. I have experimented with the idea and usually you do get more people sign up, but they usually do not turn out to be good, contributing members so there is no real net gain other than ticking over the member number.
If i am not allowed to see whats inside how can i register? May be a veteran site can afford to do that. Not a fresh start-up.
i think it is ridiculous that websites require guests to register to read the forum at all (some premium forum is ok). i saw some new, start up site do this and i never come back.