Add-On Releases - Limited Guest Viewing -- Motivate Guests to Register

Version 2.0 of this addon which allows for IP tracking using a mySQL database has been released. This is an optional feature which is disabled by default.


With vBulletin, forum guests are able to view endless amounts of content without being directly asked or forced to register no matter how many times they come back. The purpose of the Limited Guest Viewing System is to drive in registrations by limiting the number of threads guests are able to view without interruption.

This plugin offers two options which can be used to drive in more registrations. The first option allows you to show a reminder message or advertisement after a guest has viewed a certain number of threads. The second option puts up a roadblock stopping guests from viewing threads altogether after reaching a certain number of views. Both options work together to encourage and ultimately force anonymous visitors to either register or login but can also be used separately based on your individual needs.


Modifications/ Instructions:
Template edits: 1
Plugins: 1 (adds 1 template and several settings)
SQL Queries: 2 [1 insert/update] (optional)

This template hack should take under 5 minutes to implement and customize.

Customizing the content / messages:
To customize which messages appear or what they say, go to vBulletin options, select the ?Limited Guest Viewing System? group and configure the options as desired. Each phase can be modified by adding translation text.

Through the ACP you can enable or disable each option, specify the number of threads that can be viewed before the option is enabled and input any forums you wish to exclude from being blocked.

Search Engine Bots (Spiders):

This plugin is intended to use cookies as a result few if any bots will be impacted when it comes to spidering your site [bots do not generally use cookies]. Users with IP logging enabled face more potential impact from spiders. For a full explanation of the impact on bots please read the install file. Questions about this issue should be asked after the install file will be read otherwise responses will direct you to read the file.

IP/ Database Logging:
As of version 2.0 this addon now allows for IP logging via mySQL instead of just using cookies. IP logging tracks visitors by IP address stopping issues associated with cookie clearing making the system more secure. This is optional and is turned off by default.




There are 3 possible downsides of this option you should be aware of.

1. The system adds an additional query and update every time a guest views a thread which adds to your server load.
2. Some users on ISPs like AOL share IPs and could be forced to register without being able to access any threads.
3. While spiders often change IPs and are specifically excluded (by hostmask) from the addon this is not absolute and it is possible they could be blocked. See the install file for more on this.

Welcome headers compatibility:
The Limited Guest Viewing is designed to work with the Welcome Headers System version 3.6 without any conflict. If you are using the notices system in 3.7 there is the possibility of duplicating messages.

Updates
- 12/10/2008 - Bug update to fix issue #2-01
-10/30/2008 - Release of version 2.0 beta
-05/04/2008 - Release of 3.7.0 version

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by onehost

Exactly what is the point in forcing somone to do something you want them to do...? all they will do is register, take/view what they want, and be gone...because if they have no intentions of staying then they wont, all you have done is forced them to create an account and thats it...9 out of 10 people mostly never return...and how is that number going to change by doing force registrations? and if guests are blocked by limitations, how about search engines? are they blocked also

As far as why, well as fool.com will tell you, requesting a simple data capture on content pages has huge results. Does forcing someone to register guarantee they will post? Absolutely not. However once someone registers you have the opportunity to engage them 1-on-1 via email whether it be the welcome email, a reminder email, newsletter or any other communication piece you're now talking to someone. Additionally once someone has an account they can contribute without having to go through any hurtles. Think about it, someone viewing a page may not want much more involvement but at 10 views or 20 views or 50 views if they haven’t participated in any form do they necessarily know they can? Is a message telling them to register something forced or something helpful? Many sites find that the people who use this sort of message and/ or block find their experience better because they have a next step [a conversion goal] and that people participate once they’ve engaged enough to reach this stage and are given a push to register.

That said the user experience is the most important part of your site and something you should never ever, ever ignore. Of course forcing someone to do something sounds horrible with this in mind each admin has to think about how they want to set things and at what point their ability to drive goals (registrations) outweighs interfering with the user. A smart site customizes their block message, gives users options and provides value. Simply blocking people on 2 views is likely not going to get the results or response one wants but that’s not the point here. On the other hand, giving them a warning at 5 views, a lock at 15 and options to help them decide what to do as well as a way to participate, get answers, share, etc… is value and that’s a great experience.

Again, each admin has to decide how to best reach their goals while maintain a good balance of benefits for guests and members.

It looks like you didn't read the main post or install file but no worries, I'll explain things again. Spiders don't generally accept cookies and thus aren't subject to this addon [which is cookie based] unless someone sets things to block guests at 0 views which is possible but not how this addon should be used (just restricting the guest group would be more logical). Additionally the addon is hardcoded to skip bots with the hostname google, yahoo, aol and msn. This doesn't make things perfect of course hence why this is well documented in the addon install file but to date no verified issues have been brought foward.

[daydie]

one question before i download,

Does this also stop google from searching my forum after so many?

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by daydie

one question before i download,

Does this also stop google from searching my forum after so many?

Please read the main thread which directly addresses this question.

[goldnote]

Installed
My first add-on, no problems at all. Thank You Ted

[vip-q.com]

thanks, but after those changes, what about bots ??

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by vip-q.com

thanks, but after those changes, what about bots ??

Please read the main thread, specifically the part about spiders that's highlighted in blue.

[Adam21]

Does this mod still support vb3.80beta4?

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by Adam21

Does this mod still support vb3.80beta4?

I do not test or develop addons for beta versions as they frequently change. If you want to find out compatibility with a beta you will have to install it yourself.

[Fungsten]

Originally Posted by Adam21

Does this mod still support vb3.80beta4?

I installed it on 3.8 B4 and it works.

[eglyntine]

Originally Posted by Ted S

As far as why, well as fool.com will tell you, requesting a simple data capture on content pages has huge results. Does forcing someone to register guarantee they will post? Absolutely not. However once someone registers you have the opportunity to engage them 1-on-1 via email whether it be the welcome email, a reminder email, newsletter or any other communication piece you're now talking to someone. Additionally once someone has an account they can contribute without having to go through any hurtles. Think about it, someone viewing a page may not want much more involvement but at 10 views or 20 views or 50 views if they haven’t participated in any form do they necessarily know they can? Is a message telling them to register something forced or something helpful? Many sites find that the people who use this sort of message and/ or block find their experience better because they have a next step [a conversion goal] and that people participate once they’ve engaged enough to reach this stage and are given a push to register.

That said the user experience is the most important part of your site and something you should never ever, ever ignore. Of course forcing someone to do something sounds horrible with this in mind each admin has to think about how they want to set things and at what point their ability to drive goals (registrations) outweighs interfering with the user. A smart site customizes their block message, gives users options and provides value. Simply blocking people on 2 views is likely not going to get the results or response one wants but that’s not the point here. On the other hand, giving them a warning at 5 views, a lock at 15 and options to help them decide what to do as well as a way to participate, get answers, share, etc… is value and that’s a great experience.

Again, each admin has to decide how to best reach their goals while maintain a good balance of benefits for guests and members."

I have a parenting site and most of my members do not like the fact that anyone can just "lurk" on the site and read about their issues and they don't know who they are. And while *I* know it's the internet and if you are going to post personal stuff on an internet site you might as well take an ad out in the AP, these ppl think that if they have restrictions and private forums then they are safe.

I run into the dilemma do I shut the whole board down to unregistered ppl or do I tell my members to suck up and deal with it? This add-on gives me the opportunity to compromise. I can set it up where certain General forums can be viewed by guests and the other forums with more personal details are kept away from non-registered ppl.

I also have it set up to where after the viewing of one thread it tells the person they need to register to view more and once they have registered we have a welcoming committee that leaves Welcome messages on their visitor page to help break the ice and then we encourage the new members to post an intro in our Introductions forum.

So far since I've put in this add-on and created the Welcoming Committee, 9 out of every 10 ppl that register have become active members. Before the addon there was no reason to register because they could read without having to interact and when I shut it down to unregistered user, they wouldn't come by cause there was nothing to encourage them to want to be a part of the site. It's a good balance you need to find to get ppl to participate and I'm still working on it daily but it is slowly working for me.

Great Add-on Ted, and when used like it's designed to be used it really is very helpful. Thanks again for your work.