...the first line of argument is: try to avoid asking users to register at all. But I know that this is an unrealistic position. So how can we limit the damage and make the registration process as easy as possible? Link >>

Ooh, I hate registration forms.

From a user perspective anyway.

How often has this happened to you - you’re doing a Google search, see a result that looks to be exactly what you’re after, click the link, and are presented not with the page you just saw a glimpse of, but instead a “User Registration” page?

Ugh. Raises my blood pressure every time.

Especially when the site tries to pitch registration as somehow benefitting me.  Or when they try to put a happy face on it by telling me that it’s “Fast and free”, or “Easy as 1,2,3!“. 

Our local newspaper recently implemented user registration to it’s site, and between that, the unclear navigation and site architecture, and the ads that often pop up before you get to the “real” content it makes me wonder if they really want people to use the site at all.

Oh, I know—they implemented the registration pages because

With this information, we can learn more about what our users want to see and how they use our site. We can then utilize our resources to provide you with better and more useful content. And we’ll also be able to let our advertisers know more precisely what kind of people are viewing their messages and they can tailor their offerings to be more relevant to you.

But I wonder if they realize how unreliable the data they’ll gather is?

Or if they know about sites like BugMeNot.com, which lets users anonymously share log-in information for sites that require registration.

My own preferences aside, I do understand the need to make money.  And I understand needing to be able to tell potential advertisers more about the makeup of the audience the site has.

But don’t put a pretty face on it, and do us users the favor of following the advice on the page linked to above, or don’t be surprised to find yourself listed on BugMeNot.com…;)