Stupid Marketing Tricks: Requiring Validation to Enter a Website

When marketers worry more about their convenience than their customers, they qualify for the dunce hatAlmost every business day, I share links to articles, research, and blog posts. Before sharing, I always read the content. Sometimes people send me links to their website for my review. Last week, I received a link to a marketing post that sounded like it would be a good one to share. When I clicked the link, I received this:

Validation required to enter website

I exited and emailed the sender to ask, “Why are you doing this? Who is your target market? Are they 12 years old?” The response surprised me:

“We’re tired of bots completing our forms and using our resources. By verifying that visitors are human, we eliminate spamming from our process. We are very pleased with the results.”

All right, all ready. If they are happy with the results, I don’t have anything to add (for them.) But, for the rest of the marketing world, the people who want their content promoted by others, I have something to say.

If you are using anything to validate that visitors are human before they can enter your site, you are locking out opportunity. The easier you make it for people to access you, your website, and your company, the more likely they will do it. Yes, you’ll receive some spam, but it can be quickly eliminated.

The rule of thumb that we (at Wilson & Ellis Consulting) follow is “Ease of use for our community is more important than convenience for us.” I highly recommend it for every company.

Note: If you have content related to marketing (social media, direct marketing, email, ecommerce, etc.), customer care, or integrated management, let me know by clicking “Ask Debra” on the left column. I’m always on the look out for good information to share.



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{ 2 comments… add one }

  • Ecommerce Update

    This is my 1st time i go to the following. I discovered so numerous entertaining stuff in your blog, especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your articles, I guess I am not the only a single possessing all the enjoyment below! Continue to keep up the excellent work.

    Reply
  • Joseph Condron

    That is a new one to me! I would agree with you. Locking people out from your site seems a very stupid policy.
    .-= Joseph Condron´s last blog ..Harry Houdini- The First Celebrity =-.

    Reply

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