Voluntary Registration

Many web users interfere with their browsing experience and interrupt them are twitchy about their privacy. Those junk emails is such a persistent aggravation which makes people dislike having to give their email address to websites in fear of getting more of the stuff.

User registrations require people to give some personal information at least an email address, in return for unique username and password that will identify them to the site. This allows the site to remember the user's preferences and details, making their surfing more pleasurable. Many sites also use this as a way of getting hold of an email address in return for little or no added value.

Some areas or function of the site may be restricted to only registered users, but this is almost always as a marketing play because of any genuine technical or convinience issue. Voluntary registration is less invasive, so will irritate fewer costumers, but will also attract the interest of only a small percentage of the site visitors.