I noticed many directories have two methods of accepting paid submissions... A) Some will accept your link details first, and then forward the end users to the payment page. -OR- B) Some will have you choose your payment method, pay for the listing, and then you will be forwarded to the submission form. Do you think end users prefer a specific method? Personally we require the user to select their submission type, pay for it, then they're sent to the submission form where they can enter their details. I'm debating if this is shying away users. I know someone who runs a similiar directory to mine and then are pulling in more paid submissions. Their directory allows you to first enter your link details and then pay... I'm a little curious what you guys think about this. I may test this method for a week or two and see if submissions increase because i'm a little puzzled - our directory looks more professional, pulls in more traffic, and is way more populated too. Any thoughts on this ?
I like when I can see the options above the link submission form. I can then choose if I want to do a free link or featured link before I go through putting in all my info. I have been on a few directories that had a good page rank on their main page, but the lower pages had none at all and the ads there had no outgoing clicks, but wanted xx amount of dollars to list after I had started putting in my info. While I just click out of them it is somewhat a waste of time to go through the process to find out you are going to pay for no page rank and/or no clicks.
I never pay before choosing what I want. I want to be absolutely certain about what I am buying and the cost before paying. In your case, I don't want any surprises about what I can and cannot write in my site description, etc. When you turn the process around and have me pay before buying, I may not be buying what I thought. It is like needing to pay before you pump gas. What if your car only takes premium and you are a gas station which only has regular. If you pay after buying, you won't make the mistake of buying gas there. If you have to pay first, you either pump the wrong gas or be forced to ask for a refund.
Point well put, I think we'll probably change our submission method this week. I'll let you guys know if submissions increase by requesting hte listing data first and then having the customers pay.
On the internet the last two things you want to giveaway are your personal details and then your credit card info. Even the major services, well established and with great reputation loose customers if they want payment first. Want to know why? Well I think that it's because even they make major mistakes, and the process of getting a refund is at least a hassle and a waste of time, if you DO get a refund eventually, as that's not 100% guaranteed... I would definetely say what 100s would here in this forum alone, that is, first get the linking info, then the payment. It's better for you too if, for any reason you need to make a refund!
Good point. I do not like using my credit card on the net for the above reason. I prefer using my paypal account as it is much easier to stop something when it is going wrong.
We changed the submission process. You can now submit your link info first. You then are asked which submissin and payment method you wish to choose. I'll let you guys know if our submissions increase by changing it this way.
Do you guys feel more comfortable using a credit card thru a source you know (such as paypal) compared to a directory which you are not quite familiar with yet?
I use paypal more often. I like the fact that I have more control over the process and is easier to fix if there is an issue.