Forcing users to register,

**Talkcafe** · 10-16-2008, 08:41 PM

I think that is a bad idea that most forums have.

It might cause a spike in members that just want to read the content and leave.

It does not increase activity.

And can aslo lead to a person that hates your site but loves your content.

I think it is a bad idea if anyone wants active members.

**lafsunlmtd** · 10-16-2008, 08:46 PM

you mean register to do anything? I and i think a majority of people have rules set up to allow reading of threads but not posting. Also searching is many times disabled.

I think it really depends on the type of forum you have. I saw a pay to register hack for vbulletin and i think sometimes a support forum would be a good candidate for this type of thing. Like if you want to sell a specific type of support for a product or tutorials that you would rather have people pay a subscription to see, you can use something like that to make your forum your paid only members area.

**Talkcafe** · 10-16-2008, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lafsunlmtd

you mean register to do anything? I and i think a majority of people have rules set up to allow reading of threads but not posting. Also searching is many times disabled.

I think it really depends on the type of forum you have. I saw a pay to register hack for vbulletin and i think sometimes a support forum would be a good candidate for this type of thing. Like if you want to sell a specific type of support for a product or tutorials that you would rather have people pay a subscription to see, you can use something like that to make your forum your paid only members area.

I mean that sometimes on forums after you read too many posts this message shows up:

Quote:

Hey there!

It appears that you've exceeded the maximum number of posts you can view, but wait, there's a simple solution. To unlock the forum and continue viewing messages, all you need to do is sign up for a free account. The entire process takes just a few minutes so create your account now and view as many threads as you like!

Already a member? Login at the top of this page to stop seeing this message.

**lafsunlmtd** · 10-16-2008, 08:59 PM

i have never seen that. you know what forum software they are using?

**Talkcafe** · 10-16-2008, 09:02 PM

vbulletin

**lafsunlmtd** · 10-16-2008, 09:09 PM

must be a hack. that is pretty weird, i'm sure they think it helps people register, but honestly forcing people to register just to read doesn't really help too much. I guess if you have their information you can e-mail them reminders about your site. i don't know. when i get that, i generally will try to go somewhere else. i hate registering

**Moelman** · 10-16-2008, 10:33 PM

Hmm, I have not seen that either. But I definitely think users should be forced to register to post, I let guests read my forum all they want but that's pretty much it.

**Frank** · 10-17-2008, 03:50 AM

I've seen that notice. While I understand the motivation behind it, it immediately turned me off and I left the site for good.

**Caddyman** · 10-17-2008, 05:15 PM

its the limited guest viewing hack and has been the source of much debate on many admin sites.

bad idea IMO.

Limited Guest Viewing -- Motivate Guests to Register - vBulletin.org Forum

philmckrackon · 10-17-2008, 08:46 PM

Not a big fan of that hack. Like most boards I have notice that shows up for guests but it reverts to a very small one after the initial display.

10-16-2008, 08:41 PM	#1
Talkcafe Rookie Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 16	Forcing users to register, I think that is a bad idea that most forums have. It might cause a spike in members that just want to read the content and leave. It does not increase activity. And can aslo lead to a person that hates your site but loves your content. I think it is a bad idea if anyone wants active members. __________________ My forum: To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

10-16-2008, 08:46 PM	#2
lafsunlmtd The OLD Site Owner Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 505	you mean register to do anything? I and i think a majority of people have rules set up to allow reading of threads but not posting. Also searching is many times disabled. I think it really depends on the type of forum you have. I saw a pay to register hack for vbulletin and i think sometimes a support forum would be a good candidate for this type of thing. Like if you want to sell a specific type of support for a product or tutorials that you would rather have people pay a subscription to see, you can use something like that to make your forum your paid only members area. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. -- Free to Air Satellite Helper Forum To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

10-16-2008, 08:59 PM	#4
lafsunlmtd The OLD Site Owner Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 505	i have never seen that. you know what forum software they are using? __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. -- Free to Air Satellite Helper Forum To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

10-16-2008, 09:02 PM	#5
Talkcafe Rookie Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 16	vbulletin __________________ My forum: To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

10-16-2008, 09:09 PM	#6
lafsunlmtd The OLD Site Owner Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 505	must be a hack. that is pretty weird, i'm sure they think it helps people register, but honestly forcing people to register just to read doesn't really help too much. I guess if you have their information you can e-mail them reminders about your site. i don't know. when i get that, i generally will try to go somewhere else. i hate registering __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. -- Free to Air Satellite Helper Forum To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

10-16-2008, 10:33 PM	#7
Moelman The Webmaster Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 3,328	Hmm, I have not seen that either. But I definitely think users should be forced to register to post, I let guests read my forum all they want but that's pretty much it. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - The Largest LucasArts Gaming Community on the Internet To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - tell me your comments! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - Your #1 place to discuss all things World of Warcraft.

10-17-2008, 03:50 AM	#8
Frank Apprentice Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 338	I've seen that notice. While I understand the motivation behind it, it immediately turned me off and I left the site for good. __________________ On & off your site, recognize your most valuable asset: contributors. A little award can go a long way. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

10-17-2008, 05:15 PM	#9
Caddyman Forum Addict Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Delaware Posts: 1,342	its the limited guest viewing hack and has been the source of much debate on many admin sites. bad idea IMO. Limited Guest Viewing -- Motivate Guests to Register - vBulletin.org Forum __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. boomshockalacka

10-17-2008, 08:46 PM	#10
philmckrackon Lurker Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 8	Not a big fan of that hack. Like most boards I have notice that shows up for guests but it reverts to a very small one after the initial display.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Locking forums to make visitors register	phiber	Creating Interest	6	09-02-2008 07:11 AM
Adsense Forcing CPA For Some Contexual Users	BamaStangGuy	Revenue and Advertising	2	08-23-2007 03:23 PM
Getting Site User Feedback	shellspeare	Handling Problem Members	2	03-09-2006 07:34 PM
New website allows users to trade CDs	shellspeare	Off Topic	0	03-07-2006 02:18 PM