Even if you are offering them a free account, people don't like the idea of registering an account for downloading a scripts/software, e-book... So what should I do?! I think that one good idea is to only ask for theyre e-mail address, and to send the script into theyre e-mail. But will them complete that little forum , or they will just close my page, and get back to google for anather search result?!
Thats what I usually do. I dont trust websites that ask for my email address because I always tend to think that they'll add it to a list and sell it or somehow i'd be getting a lot of junk mail from them about things that do not interest me. Best thing is to just offer downloads without any form of registration, unless it is a product that is in high demand and you are the leader of providing it in your industry.
From my own experience, I got mad when someone ask me to register as condition to get what they offer for free with no strings attached. I'm usually interested in the offer and when the site is good I go back over and over and even sign up, but by my own will. More than providing my email, is the conditioned sign up what makes me think off a scam behind the product, a cheap trick to give a "lite" stuff that forces me to pay for an upgrade or something else. People may sign up if they are not forced. This is usually achieved by: - putting your downloads in a "only members forum" with a friendly message explaining the advantages to join. - keeping good, interesting content updated on a daily if possible. This can be a magnet itself, not requiring free downloads but still can be offered. Surfers sign up in sites that like them - Promote contest and your sign up rate will increase. - Implement a point system so the members can exchange their points for free stuff or benefits like being "elite members", "forum helper" or moderator. Unregisterd surfers can still visit you but if they want the goodies they will gladly signup
yeah man, i wont regester on a site, when im looking for somthing quick - like script or a download. I only reg when the site is a massive resource: because of a good active / lots of members forum -- or because it is the main source of that item. (Or, if the only way to get what i want is to register, example, i've wanted a jokes section on my site for ages, theres nowhere on the net you can get it for free, so when someone on here offerd it, and all you had to do was join their forum, i joined) Examples: I'm a member of flashkit.com because it has a great active forum for flash coders. I'm a member of pscode.com because it has a massive collection of code and examples. I'm a member of webmasterforum.cc because it offerd me a download i couldnt get anywhere else. --------------------- I dont know why you want people to register though mate? (unless its a forum of course). But i'd sugest doing what pscode.com does -- that is let users browse the massive collection of downloads and code -- let them view/download about 10 before saying you must register. People will only join if it has what i said above though - so your site needs to have at least one of them.
I say keep the reg form. I personally don't like giving out my information, BUT I don't expect anyone to give me free stuff out of the goodness of their heart. I KNOW that there has to be some sort of benefit for them also. That's why I have 2 active email accounts, one for my personal emails and the other for everything else (including questionable registrations). I'm not saying that you are offering a "questionable" product, I'm sure it's very valuable and you wouldn't spam your list... I'm just saying. PS: I personally am in the business of making money from my online efforts, I REFUSE to give people everything for free without at least TRYING to display my ads, reg forms and similar. If visitors refuse to see my ads or sign up to an email list, I refuse to give them my content, it's that simple.
I don't see much point in offering downloads for registrations. All people will do is just register to get the downloads and do nothing else, it's a waste of space.
Whenever Ive downloaded a script / program for free from a particular site, I have pretty much NEVER intentionally returned to the same site again. Users like me are selfish and are just take take take. You need to get something from these users... whatever it is... a click.. an email... something in return.
It's the POTENTIAL to make a future sale or exploit that visitor in some way in the future that holds value. It's true that many of those people will never buy/click/visit anything but it's worth a try. If you have doubts about the value of building a list and giving away a free product/course/ebook in order to maintain contact and potentially sell in the future... just ask Brad Callen if it paid off for him and his SEO Elite Software. He's a member here and I'm sure he'll tell you it was worth every bit of effort. The simple fact is that some of those folks WILL buy something you offer if it has value to them.
People don't like to register, in the same way that they don't like to pay for stuff if they can get it for free. So keep your registration form. But you might achieve a good compromise by simplifying your signup, and asking the minimum that you need to make your site viable. If the form scrolls down several screens and asks for a home address, it will put most people off. If you have a number of downloads, you could add a second form that solicits further information, in return for access to your most popular items. Gather information, but break it up into manageable chunks so that people don't get bored and give up.
You could make them NEED to register once they've downloaded the product. A simple key validation or something, giving them a URL to create an account at, and the key is emailed to them.
It's clear from this thread that its an extremely difficult balance to solve. Looking at the logs for many of my sites show that visitors tend to spend less than 30 seconds on the site! Clearly people are looking for something specific these days.
You will continue to get those stats no matter what kind of content you offer. It take the average visitor about 2 seconds to glance over your site and decide if they want to dig in or keep moving. My take on the situation is that those who are not willing to give me a chance to talk to them (by email or whatever) are NOT going to get my product for free. Maybe you can put up a PayPal "buy now" button saying that anyone who is willing to subscribe to your email list gets it free, those who don't want to share their info are free to buy the product for $5 or whatever? Maybe a good idea... especially if you are already willing to give it away. I'll bet a LOT more people would sign up to your list simply because you have just added real VALUE to an otherwise free product. The other plus side is that someone might actually buy it and make you some money. Hows that for a twist?
That's a very interesting concept. However, if paying by paypal, they'll still give you their details. On the other hand, they'll be tight, and sign up to get it for free!
Using PayPal their email will be visible but you won't have their permission to use it... so it's not really the same. You're right, probably 95% of them will just end up signing up to the mailings because they're cheap.