I know this has been brought up before, and there are people on both sides of the argument. I don't like requiring user registration to purchase an image. It is going to reduce sales.

I went through the process to test my site, and wow, it was a PITA. It took a long time just to get the email once I signed up. As a customer, I can tell you that I would have given up by now and bought my images elsewhere. People will come to you through Google Images looking to buy one image, probably not to become a long term customer. Just let them make their purchase, and move along.

I'd like to see the user registration requirement as an OPTION. That way if anyone is steadfast on having the requirement, they can have it.

I kinda agree with both sides of this, requiring registration and registration being a PITA and may drive away sales.

What I have done is set-up and allow facebook and wordpress.org sign-in using a plug-in.

I have not checked how well this plug-in works in 2.x.x   if anyone want to test it for me....

stockimages.glennspecht.com/wp/

Glenn

Glenn,

How did you set up the social media registration plugin? That sounds like a better idea than creating a user from scratch.

Hi Daniel

Not sure what you found so hard, I have just registered on your site and it took me a few seconds - applied, went to my email and downloaded password, then entered password and logged in.

I have to admit I am on the side of requiring registration, I want to be sure that the address they have given is one that will get the download email confirmation.  Many people do, deliberatly or accidentally type the wrong address.  I sell other stuff online and we get people typing in their wrong snail mail address - a couple in the US have put the wrong state then blamed us when it did not arrive!

Hi Glenn

I tried
Wordpress - they need a wordpress.com account - our sites won't do.
Google -  says


Stockimages.glennspecht.com would like to:
View basic information about your account
View your email address
Stockimages.glennspecht.com and Google will use this information in accordance with their respective terms of service and privacy policies.

More info

View your name, public profile URL and photo. View your gender and date of birth. View your country, language and time zone

View the email address associated with your account

I didn't bother   but then I would rather deal directly with each site, might be my age or just awkwardness

Tinny,

Tried it twice. The email showed up in 10 minutes the first time. The second time, not at all. Second email was to go to my government account - interesting that it didn't make it.

Daniel, I often have that sort of problem - had it here with MSG  which is why I have the name I have!

Having said I would not use social networking logins I realise a lot of people would so if Glenn would share I would appreciate it as well

I use the social connect plug in
http://wordpress.org/plugins/social-connect/

Yes I know that the wordpress it want is wordpress.org but a lot of bloggers use that site.

I don't like using Facebook etc to log into accounts, but a lot of people do...and if it helps with sales.

Glenn

Maybe we need some clever person to create a Symbiostock log-in plug that works in a similar way - registered with one site then can use those details if the email address is confirmed with the rest of the network

Quote from: Tinny on May 30, 2013, 19:01
Maybe we need some clever person to create a Symbiostock log-in plug that works in a similar way - registered with one site then can use those details if the email address is confirmed with the rest of the network

That would be a great plug-in. It would raise awareness for the entire network.

I could see how that would work with one site with their network connections that they make.  For it to work across all SY sites not in your network there has to be some global registration somehow that recognizes that they're on a site with the theme installed.  I'm not even sure that a global one would be feasible, reliable or safe.

Registration allows buyers to keep track of what they bought and it is convenient if the download links do not arrive for some reason..

They can always login and see their purchases..

I don't think I've ever bought anything online without having created an account on the seller's website. It's simply the way things work.

Quote from: Travelling-light on May 30, 2013, 23:05
I don't think I've ever bought anything online without having created an account on the seller's website. It's simply the way things work.

I have had the same experience. Rarely do I buy anything where I haven't registered. I suppose there could be some buyers in a big hurry, but I think for the most part, people are going to be returning (hopefully) and so just go ahead and create an account.

Glenn,

I installed social connect but you need a facebook API to get the facebook button, how did you do it?
Cheers
Laurent

Quote from: MicrostockExp on May 31, 2013, 00:31
Glenn,

I installed social connect but you need a facebook API to get the facebook button, how did you do it?
Cheers
Laurent

I already had a Facebook API for use on several other projects... sorry I can't remember the steps involved but I don't remember it being difficult.

Glenn

Start here:  http://developers.facebook.com/web/

Ok thanks I ll have a look at it:)

Quote from: Tinny on May 30, 2013, 18:16
Hi Daniel

Not sure what you found so hard, I have just registered on your site and it took me a few seconds - applied, went to my email and downloaded password, then entered password and logged in.

I have to admit I am on the side of requiring registration, I want to be sure that the address they have given is one that will get the download email confirmation.  Many people do, deliberatly or accidentally type the wrong address.  I sell other stuff online and we get people typing in their wrong snail mail address - a couple in the US have put the wrong state then blamed us when it did not arrive!

Hi Glenn

I tried
Wordpress - they need a wordpress.com account - our sites won't do.
Google -  says

if they give a fake email they STILL have to give a valid paypal, so where's the problem? they don't get an picture until they pay

i'm much more concerned about the people who don't like giving out their info but are happy to use paypal

for my online games, use went up dramatically when I took out the requirement to give an email -- anyone who didn't would just be logged as guest

Quote from: Travelling-light on May 30, 2013, 23:05
I don't think I've ever bought anything online without having created an account on the seller's website. It's simply the way things work.

I buy lots of things online where I only have to go thru paypal

partly it may be what sort of buyers we're expecting - but whatever the case it should be optional for the site

Quote from: cascoly on May 31, 2013, 04:48

for my online games, use went up dramatically when I took out the requirement to give an email -- anyone who didn't would just be logged as guest

Quote from: Travelling-light on May 30, 2013, 23:05
I don't think I've ever bought anything online without having created an account on the seller's website. It's simply the way things work.

I buy lots of things online where I only have to go thru paypal

partly it may be what sort of buyers we're expecting - but whatever the case it should be optional for the site

Exactly my point. Registration is a sure fire path to spam filling up your email box, quite unfortunately. I register only when I absolutely have to. I take the attitude of "Don't Call Me, I'll Call You" when it comes to any business.

I think I have to agree with the other posters here that required registration will be a hindrance for image sales for multiple reasons.

Here's one:

I'm working on setting up our site and I just registered myself for the first time.  I got an admin email almost instantly letting me know that someone registered but it's been over half an hour and I still don't have the customer email letting me know I registered.  As a buyer if I was ready to open my wallet but had to wait for an email that didn't come pretty darn near instantly chances are I would have lost interest by now.

I dont know of a site that doesnt require a registration for a download. Its a once off, and then all they need to do is login when they come back. I think people expect to sign up these days. And its only a username and email, very quick. I do agree that emailing the password might be a it cumbersome, but if they want the image, they will register.

Imagine the mess a buyer is facing who wants to buy 10 images from 10 different SY sites 

Quote from: Ron on June 07, 2013, 22:27
I dont know of a site that doesnt require a registration for a download. Its a once off, and then all they need to do is login when they come back. I think people expect to sign up these days. And its only a username and email, very quick. I do agree that emailing the password might be a it cumbersome, but if they want the image, they will register.

if the site uses paypal there's no need to register

clickbank just takes you to a payment screen, no need to register to download programs or images

for those who want it, it should be an option

Quote from: CrackerClips Stock Media on June 07, 2013, 21:59


I'm working on setting up our site and I just registered myself for the first time.  I got an admin email almost instantly letting me know that someone registered but it's been over half an hour and I still don't have the customer email letting me know I registered.

Rare bug. Please tell me your hosting? Maybe your prob might help me finally solve it.

Also I'm only available minutes at a time whereas I had donated 3 months of 8-14 hour days before.

I had more to say, but I think I'll open a thread.

Quote from: cascoly on June 07, 2013, 23:39

Quote from: Ron on June 07, 2013, 22:27
I dont know of a site that doesnt require a registration for a download. Its a once off, and then all they need to do is login when they come back. I think people expect to sign up these days. And its only a username and email, very quick. I do agree that emailing the password might be a it cumbersome, but if they want the image, they will register.

if the site uses paypal there's no need to register

clickbank just takes you to a payment screen, no need to register to download programs or images

for those who want it, it should be an option

Not a real solution, but is it possible to set up an anonymous guest account? Then set the username and password to default to "guest" and thus allow anyone to purchase from the site without having to register!