Is it ok to ask guest visitors to register before they can view the website content?

Re: Is it ok to ask guest visitors to register before they can view the website conte

Instead of making registration compulsory, I think you should control certain sections of the forum. For example the CE Labs can be restricted to members only, but not the announcements section.

Another alternative can be to give them free access for a while, and then ask them to register if they want to continue on the forum. This can be done by monitoring their ip/mac addresses.

Re: Is it ok to ask guest visitors to register before they can view the website conte

Oh, let me clarify. This discussion is not limited to CE 😀 . We are pretty much an open forum 😉

Also, restricting access is very simple!

Re: Is it ok to ask guest visitors to register before they can view the website conte

Oh ok.

I think if registration is free, then there is no need to make it compulsory. There are many tools available online which let you register using fake/temporary email addresses. So if a user just wants some information, he can use any of these services and view whatever he wants to.

All compulsory registration does is increase the user count. This does not mean the guest will come back just because he has registered on a forum. What makes the guest come back is the content and how that forum is maintained (with regard to spam, etc)

Re: Is it ok to ask guest visitors to register before they can view the website conte

I like being able to view but not post unless you register best. I would want to explore and view the forum a bit first to see if I want to become a member by joining.

Re: Is it ok to ask guest visitors to register before they can view the website conte

Right now, I have restricted access to our Project Ideas & Seminar topics. Guests can view the title but not the post content. Let's see how it works.

Other sections/forums are open to all 😀