Guest Book Delima -Add or Not to ADD

[Texas Pepper]

It seems that web site visitors are less likely to sign the guest book now days. I use Bravenet. Think visitors are thinking their name will be harvested or used; so by pass the book.

Any experieces or bits of wisdom?

Also, recommend a solid, secure add in guest book for my site...www.texaspepper.net

Thanks

[wenwilder]

You have a very nice site, why would you want to decrease the credibility of it by adding a guest book? I guess I don't understand that part.

Guest books are passe', old school, and people just find them a waste of their time. I'm sure they probably have their place. And I hope someone will be able to answer you more productively as to what you are looking for, but from a marketing stand point... it will do you more harm than good.

[Easywebdev]

I agree with wen. Guest books are a throwback to the early days of the net and its gimmicky feel.
I would never place a guestbook on a site but I get the feeling that you would like some way to glean feedback on your site from your users. If that is the case I see no harm in having a feedback form on site.
I would have no qualms about providing feedback on a site if there were such a means but I would not fill in a guestbook where my comments are visible to all alongside my email for yet more harvesting bots to gather.

[Texas Pepper]

You have a very nice site, why would you want to decrease the credibility of it by adding a guest book? I guess I don't understand that part.

Guest books are passe', old school, and people just find them a waste of their time. I'm sure they probably have their place. And I hope someone will be able to answer you more productively as to what you are looking for, but from a marketing stand point... it will do you more harm than good.

Point well taken. Thanks for the kind comments about my site. Let me add, your site is professional. A real class URL. Thanks again David

[Texas Pepper]

I agree with wen. Guest books are a throwback to the early days of the net and its gimmicky feel.
I would never place a guestbook on a site but I get the feeling that you would like some way to glean feedback on your site from your users. If that is the case I see no harm in having a feedback form on site.
I would have no qualms about providing feedback on a site if there were such a means but I would not fill in a guestbook where my comments are visible to all alongside my email for yet more harvesting bots to gather.

I like that. Feedback page. That just might work. My views are looking at my site to get info for traveling or life experiences to help them. So, some form of interaction is good. Thanks for your "feedback."
David

[MarcThai]

Yep, guestbooks are old-hat and useless.

BUT, a Testimonial page using exactly the same technology can be a very useful marketing tool, especially if the clients include their email address so that potential clients can contact them to confirm that your services are worth the money.

Check out our testimonial page at http://www.holt-realty.com/comments.php

Now a word of warning. Use a proper guestbook program and install it on your server. NEVER use one of those guestbook 'services' that host your guestbook on their server. I did that a few years ago until I realized the website hosting the guestbook was stealing my traffic.


There are plenty of good free guestbook programs available. Use one of them and then sit back and wait for your clients to start helping you promote your business. You'd be surprised at how many would like to say something nice about you!

Cheers!
Marc from Thailand