Signup: Mobile Number VS Email Address

Discussion in 'Programming' started by oo7ml, Jun 3, 2014.

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  1. #1
    Hi,

    What is the best way to get your users to signup on your app (mobile only app). Should you get them to signup with the usual email address method OR is it better to just allow them to signup with their mobile number. I can't find any reputable articles online that cover this.

    Can anyone tell me the advantages and disadvantages of both:


    01 - Signing Up With Email Address (Advantages and Disadvantages)

    02 - Signup With Mobile Number (Advantages and Disadvantages)


    Thanks in advance for your help.
     
    oo7ml, Jun 3, 2014 IP
  2. ironcladservers

    ironcladservers Well-Known Member

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    #2
    Personally, I'd probably use a combination of both, this way if someone changes their phone number or e-mail address, the account is still recoverable in some way.
     
    ironcladservers, Jun 3, 2014 IP
  3. oo7ml

    oo7ml Well-Known Member

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    #3
    Ok, thanks... i always feel that signing up with a mobile number allows you to access a user's contacts (if they allow you)
     
    oo7ml, Jun 3, 2014 IP
  4. PoPSiCLe

    PoPSiCLe Illustrious Member

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    #4
    You might want to consider adding a way to use already established sign-ins - Facebook, Google etc. That makes it easier for people to sign up, as they only need to allow access.
     
    PoPSiCLe, Jun 3, 2014 IP
    ironcladservers likes this.
  5. Hackinat

    Hackinat Peon

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    #5
    I'd agree with both of the previous posts. Personally, I'm less likely to use an app if it requires me to signup using my mobile number as I prefer to hand that out publicly. Whereas my email address is used for everything, and I don't have a problem providing that. Though when you allow people to signup using Facebook or Google+ then you can access the large social network they are also connected too, and they won't have to signup for multiple accounts and remember multiple passwords.
     
    Hackinat, Jun 5, 2014 IP
  6. sarahk

    sarahk iTamer Staff

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    #6
    You also have to look at how important your app is going to be to them and how logical it is for the app to have their phone number.

    What are the ramifications of someone losing their account and having to start over? Could happen with either approach and may mean you need to build in more robustness.

    Tell us a bit more about your app...
     
    sarahk, Jun 5, 2014 IP
  7. kenzo22

    kenzo22 Member

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    #7
    Registering with mobile number is not the best idea, because this is much more private than email and people are not so likely to give it to strangers.
     
    kenzo22, Jun 6, 2014 IP
  8. Vibrantu

    Vibrantu Greenhorn

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    #8
    According to me both have their own advantages and disadvantages, for mobile signup you should have a sms gateway which costs you , mailing will be with the hosting and It would be included in the hosting plan. Still I would say for unique registration mobile signup is so good
     
    Vibrantu, Jun 8, 2014 IP
    mymindrules likes this.