Would like your opinions .... customer accounts

[Al1x]

What do you think is better - Customers having to create an account in order to buy from you or them being able to buy without creating an account?

Thanks
Kerry

[Lemon]

Well I suppose it depends ! I would think from a Customer point of view it may be sometimes quicker to order without creating an account. But then you do not have regular Customers to keep in touch with for discounts or sale items.

I know sometimes I am in a rush and if I have to create an account I don't always go through with the purchase, simply because I don't have the time. Although I would probably go back later. HTH x

[Chell]

Al1x, I took the first line off my site where it asks you to log or create an acocunt as I think its off putting. You still have to log in to proceed to checkout but at least then the person is inputting their details for delivery anyway.

I know people don't have to log into view the site but IMO that first line is quite off putting.

[smirnoff]

from a buyers point of view i like to have an account so i know that i have more comback (in my own mind!!) and it also means then that generally i do not have to enter all my details each time i go back to the same place. It saves time on each successive visit and order for me....
Sorry dont know if you wanted my 2pworth but thought i would share!!!! LOL
HTH xxx

[babybiz]

As a customer I'm different, I don't like creating accounts especially when I get junk mail and emails from the company just because I bought something. Imagine if you had to create an account every time you went into a shop to buy something you'd get really narked off that's the way I see it but I guess everyone is different.

Tashxx

[littlesheep]

I have both options :D

Love Elaine

[Ruthierhyme]

lol .. my customers have to create an account in order to download their purchases :D

Although I personally don't like creating accounts .. mainly because I dread having forgotten ( almost guranteed !!) the login details !!

[feistygal]

You should definitely offer a choice to buy without creating an account as research has shown that forcing customers to create accounts sends them away.

I never, ever buy from sites where I have to create an account unless the item is something I really want and is only available on that site and not any other or in the shops.

[Tanya]

well after reading this I have decided to offer the option of creating an account. (just need to find out how to do that now)lol

[Chell]

How is your new look site coming along Tanya?

[Tanya]

How is your new look site coming along Tanya?

it's not too bad, using oscommerce this time and it's quite hard

[Chell]

it's not too bad, using oscommerce this time and it's quite hard

Mine is oscommerce, DP was pulling his hair out doing it. Its not 100% as I want it but there isn't enough hours in the day. 20061008

[Tanya]

it's takes a long time doesn't it

you can change it over time though, is yours all up and running now??

[Chell]

Its online, all I need now is some customers! it only went online late on Tuesday. I'm plugging away trying to get it known now. I have had some hits so am getting there slowly, very slowly!

[Al1x]

Thanks for all your opinions :)

Personally I prefer to create an account... it feels a bit more secure.

I guess having the option to create an account is best because that keeps everyone happy! ... just have to work out how to do that.

[Lemon]

I'm not sure if I can have the option on my site ?

[Al1x]

I don't know if I can either to be honest! ... If I can't I'll stick with customers creating an account!

[tracey2756]

I would say the customers prefer to buy without having an account

Sometimes you can't see what the postal prices are until you have opened an account and are about to check out

I prefer to know the postal price before I give them all my details

[Tanya]

If your site has been designed using Oscommerce I know that you can have the option for the customer to go through to checkout without creating an account, I just don't know how to do it yet

[trogette]

there's an oscommerce contribution called... wait for it... purchase without account! LOL I have it on my shop but I didn't add it.

[littlesheep]

there's an oscommerce contribution called... wait for it... purchase without account! LOL I have it on my shop but I didn't add it.

Cunning title that - you'd never guess what it was for! :laugh:

Love Elaine

[Chell]

On our Oscommerce site DP tok the account bit off the homepage. He said its in the English language php section, ether the main or the subfiles. He said its easier to edit it in dreamweaver if you have it.

When someone gets to checkout they are still have to open an account. When it was on the first page I thought it was very off putting personally. At least once they have got to checkout they have decided to buy the procduct, registering asks for little more detail than you would need to give anyway for delivery.

[Tanya]

I've taken the text off the home page too but added a login box in the right hand column

I'm going to also give the option to purchase without account but do you think it will confuse people with the login box there or not, I suppose I could put something on the home page to say this

[trogette]

I think there's something on my payment page about creating accounts, ie you don't have to but it's easier to shop here again if you do.