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Another kind of evil (but effective) approach is to allow the user to do all those post-signup activities (like set up a dashboard or create some content), and

by jseims 14y ago

Another kind of evil (but effective) approach is to allow the user to do all those post-signup activities (like set up a dashboard or create some content), and then say "now sign up" at the end. They're already invested, so you get better conversion.

patio11 14y ago
Can you explain to me why that is evil? I'm sincerely interested in hearing that thought process.
- mustafa0x 14y ago
  Deception. More verbosely, you allowed the user to assume something, yet contradicted this assumption. Somewhat similar when a woman strings a man along, then requests payment.
  - excid3 14y ago
    I would consider it deception if I was being told it was free the entire time until the sign up step told me it cost money. Allowing me to try this before registering is more likely to get me to sign up.
    - mustafa0x 14y ago
      Failing to inform can be as deceptive as misinforming.
Revisor 14y ago
That's not evil, quite the opposite - you don't bother the user and ask them for the required information until the very moment it's needed. It's called gradual engagement and I consider it good practice. What's structurally similar to this and definitely a dark pattern is letting the user work towards their goal and at the end tell them suddenly they have to pay for the result. That would be evil. Gradual engagement as you describe it is not.
burke 14y ago
Certainly not evil. It allows me (as a user) to properly gauge whether or not I'm interested in your service before I provide any personal information. It's a win for me.
- DrJokepu 14y ago
  Have you ever noticed in 90's shareware games how levels that are only included in the paid version are just nearly not as good as the ones in the free version? That's because you're a much more interesting target before you have made your purchase. A (web) application that has a very useful "free" part with a sign up form at the end (whether it asks for payment or not is irrelevant) will always make me think that "this is very all the cool levels end, from now on it's going to be fairly average and boring".
BryanB55 14y ago
Yea, I wouldn't say this is evil, it actually solves a lot of the problems being discussed here with people not wanting to go through the hassle of a signup process without even knowing what they are getting into. With your example they are able to try the product immediately without going through all the "paper work" - if they like it then they can signup.

by jseims 14y ago

patio11 14y ago

Can you explain to me why that is evil? I'm sincerely interested in hearing that thought process.

mustafa0x 14y ago
Deception. More verbosely, you allowed the user to assume something, yet contradicted this assumption. Somewhat similar when a woman strings a man along, then requests payment.
- excid3 14y ago
  I would consider it deception if I was being told it was free the entire time until the sign up step told me it cost money. Allowing me to try this before registering is more likely to get me to sign up.
  - mustafa0x 14y ago
    Failing to inform can be as deceptive as misinforming.

Revisor 14y ago

That's not evil, quite the opposite - you don't bother the user and ask them for the required information until the very moment it's needed. It's called gradual engagement and I consider it good practice. What's structurally similar to this and definitely a dark pattern is letting the user work towards their goal and at the end tell them suddenly they have to pay for the result. That would be evil. Gradual engagement as you describe it is not.

burke 14y ago

Certainly not evil. It allows me (as a user) to properly gauge whether or not I'm interested in your service before I provide any personal information. It's a win for me.

DrJokepu 14y ago
Have you ever noticed in 90's shareware games how levels that are only included in the paid version are just nearly not as good as the ones in the free version? That's because you're a much more interesting target before you have made your purchase. A (web) application that has a very useful "free" part with a sign up form at the end (whether it asks for payment or not is irrelevant) will always make me think that "this is very all the cool levels end, from now on it's going to be fairly average and boring".

BryanB55 14y ago

Yea, I wouldn't say this is evil, it actually solves a lot of the problems being discussed here with people not wanting to go through the hassle of a signup process without even knowing what they are getting into. With your example they are able to try the product immediately without going through all the "paper work" - if they like it then they can signup.