Convincing folks to register

[DaBuzz]

This may be too late to add to version 2.0 (and I don't want to hold up progress), but I think it may be useful to many users like myself if unregistered users are "nagged" to register when they post.

The way it would work is simple, when an unregistered user posts, instead of going to the "thank you for posting" page, the user is taken to a "You know, if you register ... you get all these great features and don't have to see this silly message every time!"

Of course, this type of thing should be off by default since I'm sure it does not fit into every site admin's plans for their site.

[Mike Sullivan]

"You know, if you register ... you get all these great features and don't have to see this silly message every time!"LOL

Interesting Idea.

[chrispadfield]

would only take an alternative template. Wouldn't be that hard i don't think.

[Chris Schreiber]

I love this idea.... and along the same lines, if you don't allow guests to post, why not give them a modified reply/new topic screen which will allow them to post and register all in the same step :)

-Chris

[JimF]

Originally posted by Chris Schreiber
if you don't allow guests to post, why not give them a modified reply/new topic screen which will allow them to post and register all in the same step :)

Yes. I agree 100%. I brought this up a while ago, but it didn't get much attention.

Instead of a "You don't have permission to post this message..." type thing, they can be taken to a screen that says "You need to register in order for this message to be posted. Please enter your email..."

-jim

[chrispadfield]

and most importantly.. once they register it takes them back to the page they were on ready to post instead of having to navigate to find it again.

[Skeptical]

Another idea, let them write their message, and then when they try to post it, ask for username/password. If they don't have it, make them register if they want their message posted.

If they still want to post as un-registered guest, let them. But after they post send them a full-screen popup to annoy the heck out of them. haha

Just kidding.

[chrispadfield]

well i quite like that, i won't allow unregistered posting so that might work.

Once they have written it they are sure going to want to register. Nice idea, i like it.

If you use double email check you could say:

"Thank you for posting. Unfortuntly only registered members are allowed to post. If you provide your email addres and choose a username then once you confirm your membership then your post will be automatically added".

Cool?

[shashi]

i think a very simple solution exists.
the forum rules!
it says clearly who can post.

you may want to bring this bit from bottom of the forum to top of the forum. you can change the error message when an unregistered user tries to post.

after all the register button is handy on all pages (top right usually)! so it is easy to register, then press back back abck and post again!

if a user really doesn't want to register for whatever reason, u can't force them, the only way is to not allow them to post unregistered at all. do you think that someone who reads your forum and wants to contribute but still doesn't want to register (even when using a nick name, not real name) would really be annoyed by a pop up?

but as a programming exercise this would be cool project :)

[chrispadfield]

You are assuming to much knowledge for some people. I would say for 20% to 30% of my visitors it is the first forum they have ever used and if they have used on before it is generally the type of 1 thread only posting board where no one registeres. The act of registering is often quite foreign to them. Getting them to post first and then be asked to register is a nice way round this. Once you have made the effort to type something you are going to register.