Need your opinion re requiring registration

[jdougher]

As a test, I set up my site www.photocamel.com this morning to require guests to register before they enter. I noticed registration numbers improve right away. Is this a coincidence?

In general, is it better to allow guests to browse and then register at will, or is the approach I tried the better way to boost subscriber numbers.

And then there's the question of quality of subscribers...

Thanks.

[[Unknown]]

As a test, I set up my site www.photocamel.com this morning to require guests to register before they enter. I noticed registration numbers improve right away. Is this a coincidence?

No, it's not... but, as much as registrations may increase, especially temporarily, it will hurt in the long run: less in the way of search engine indexing, less interest from guests, etc.  Just my opinion, though.

-[Unknown]

[1MileCrash]

not to mention, it's content that makes worthwhile users want to join. That, and some people are too lazy click on a link if they have to register. 

[jdougher]

I agree with all of the responses, and I have opened up the board as you suggested.