Should Ecommerce Site Give Registration Option to Customers?

[Arnold3]

Hi All,

Should Ecommerce Site Give Registration Option to Customers? What are then advantages and disadvantages?

Thanks!

[EGOL]

No registration:  This is what we do.  Some customers complain because they have to enter their address and credit card information every time.  We don't offer registration because we want a simple and low cost shopping cart.

Optional registration:  If you offer this, only a fraction of your customers will use it, but they will be happy about it.  I like this option myself.  I register on sites that I trust and use repeatedly, and check out as a guest on other sites.  Registration will give you customer data that can be used to learn about the customers and offer them items that they are likely to purchase.

Required registration:  Lots of people really hate this.  I hate this.  Some potential customers will not buy from you if they must register.  I leave some sites that require registration.  I want to check out as a guest on most of the sites that I use.  Customer data as mentioned above will be useful.

[Arnold3]

Hi Egol,

But it will help them to know there orders of 1 year or 2 years, they can check there saved basket, wishlist, it will not require to type again and again billing address if they are regular purchaser.

Thanks!

[EGOL]

I agree.  Lots of people like registration for those reasons.

The method that you use should be determined by costs, business goals, and the level of security that you are able to provide.

All three methods are good options.  Select the one that works best for your business.

[TimHolmes]

Have you considered a guest registration/checkout, whereby the user creates the account by filling out the checkout options and enters required details - e.g. post address for delivery, email for confirmation / username and once check out is complete and the transaction is done you can simply ask for a password to store this registration for later use. By removing the barrier or creating the option of a guest checkout conversion rates may be improved.

for those that want to register first have this as an additional option at checkout.