[IxDA Discuss] Forced Registration and Dummy Information

[Trip O'Dell]

I think it depends on what relationship the user anticipates having  
with the product/service provider as well as the context of where and  
when the information is being asked for. A more fundamental question  
is to ask why are users motivated to come to the site (as opposed to  
going to an open house) in the first place? Distance may be a factor,  
but more likely than not the user is researching a decision and wants  
to avoid the hard sell of a face to face engagement with a sales rep.

In that context, requiring the user to sign up to even see the  
product/service is beyond arrogant. Personally I ask myself how bad I  
want to see the information - whether its worth the trouble of even  
giving dummy information.  Its the same reason most people hate going  
car shopping at a dealership - you know you're going to get called by  
some guy in a cheap suit for days afterwards.

However, if I am being compensated for my information with some form  
of special access - the ability to leave a comment, or save a  
configuration, etc - then I think users are more willing to part with  
accurate personal information. EG - sharing the information you've  
found with other users . I think some car configuration sites have it  
right: let me customize my own car, then give me the option of  
sending that profile to a friend or a dealership nearby. Its a better  
way of sorting though qualified prospects that are actively seeking  
to buy.

On May 3, 2007, at 6:53 PM, Kevin Silver wrote:

> Hi,
>
> Does anyone know if there are any studies/numbers/articles out there
> (or based upon your experience) that show how many people use dummy
> information if they're forced to register for a site?
>
> Do other people typically do the same? Has there
> been any studies/numbers/article?