Do we have it backwards? Register *after* posting?

[DanaSoft]

Think about it - people come to my forum and think they want to post a question; but then they see they have to register and verify their email account before they can even ask their question. Most people might think thats too much of a hassle to post a simple question or make a simple post.

Ever gone to a review site and filled out a review form only to be prompted to create a login after the fact? I end up thinking, "Heck, I've already filled out the damn review; I might as well register."

The gimmick was to get me to post first and then figuring I didnt want to waste the effort, I'd register after the fact. By forcing me to register first, I realize its going to take me that much longer just to post and so I bail.

Anyone else had this thought about forums and how we could promote registrations by letting someone post, put the post into moderation until they register and then posting under their newly created userid?

[Reeve of Shinra]

Interesting line of thought... that would work well with a new site I have in mind. I wonder how we could accomplish this?

edit:

User creates thread or post, and there is an extra box to log in or register.

Username (check via ajax)
Password:
Email:

I dont usually require email verification but maybe send the post to the moderation que if you did?

[DanaSoft]

Actually, I wouldnt even put it on the same page.... Have a NEW POST button, prompt for a new post as if they were a user; put the post into the moderation queue (or unposted queue if you made a new one) and then prompt the user to register on the next page (carry over the postid in the forum). Update the userid in the newly created post (put the postid in the form so you have it available).

When the user clicks on their confirmation email; you update the moderation status to post it.

I would even make the register form very simple - username, password and email to make it super simple for them to signup. Again, going with the "I've gone this far, might as well finish it.".

[Freesteyelz]

On a site that I'm working on I've simply hid the post buttons with a conditional if a user has not logged in or has registered. The user can read public posts but it is clear that he/she will have to register to participate in discussions. I like to keep things up front for guests and members.

I don't have an issue with the registration process unless I'm to believe I have access to something only to find out that I don't until I register. Besides, the typical registration process takes less than a minute. As a user, I'd be more annoyed if I were given the choice to post, then have the post sent to moderation queue, then have to register to make it viewable to the public. Rather than doing that why not have a forum that is open to anyone and use the image verification, just like Contact Us option.

I understand what you're saying but if users know up-front what they can and cannot do as a guest or registered member it'll save a bit of hassle for everyone.

[MrNase]

I would even make the register form very simple - username, password and email to make it super simple for them to signup.

It is very simple but do you really think the users will update their profile after they have registered?

My members don't.. Some time ago I set the extra profile fields not to show on the registration form and nobody cared about them and the fields were left empty.


Besides that: A very nice idea!

[Jake Bunce]

It's like when ATM machines notify you about the surcharge at the end of the transaction. It's effective but lame.

[DanaSoft]

It's like when ATM machines notify you about the surcharge at the end of the transaction. It's effective but lame.

Effective always takes precedence over lame when it comes to marketing and sales.

Every major website that takes input from a user works in the fashion, so why not a forum?

[Fusion]

I like it.

[shuv25]

Can you help me how to do that ?

It is really nice that someone did that before, I want to do that exactly same, Can you help me to do the same work.

Thanks

Actually, I wouldnt even put it on the same page.... Have a NEW POST button, prompt for a new post as if they were a user; put the post into the moderation queue (or unposted queue if you made a new one) and then prompt the user to register on the next page (carry over the postid in the forum). Update the userid in the newly created post (put the postid in the form so you have it available).

When the user clicks on their confirmation email; you update the moderation status to post it.

I would even make the register form very simple - username, password and email to make it super simple for them to signup. Again, going with the "I've gone this far, might as well finish it.".

[shuv25]

I need help for this

Thanks

How to do this ?

Thanks
Shuvendu

Actually, I wouldnt even put it on the same page.... Have a NEW POST button, prompt for a new post as if they were a user; put the post into the moderation queue (or unposted queue if you made a new one) and then prompt the user to register on the next page (carry over the postid in the forum). Update the userid in the newly created post (put the postid in the form so you have it available).

When the user clicks on their confirmation email; you update the moderation status to post it.

I would even make the register form very simple - username, password and email to make it super simple for them to signup. Again, going with the "I've gone this far, might as well finish it.".

[DanaSoft]

Well, I posted this wondering if someone may have already done this before considering how to do this myself.

[Bema Jinn]

I like this idea, if someone could make a hack for it or it be an option in ACP.

The only problem is if this does become popular and hundreds of sites use it, people would become wise to this, effectively making it useless after a while.

[Dean C]

I'm going to be implementing this idea sometime in the future. So guests *can* reply to threads within my forum, as long as they register during the posting process

My plan is:

Guests come to a forum and want to reply to a thread, they can use all the options as if they were registered, but when they click post, it'll take them to a slightly hacked up version of new(reply|thread).php which will have a simple registration form at the top explaining that all they need to do is enter a username/password/email and fill in the captcha and their post will be made.

[Fusion]

I hope you'll make it available at .org. It'd help us 'til it's made a default option.

[Dean C]

Yeah, no point charging for this one. I'll see what I can do in the next month Very busy with other projects and DCSEO at the moment. It'd be fairly easy to do this anyway, so if someone else wants to release it