Forcing Subscription Just to Look at Content

[mizambar]

Probably my biggest peeve is a supposedly free informational site that clicks away from a screen unless you enter your email address...my local paper has an online site that does not allow you look at content unless you are a "member" of their website. When you do subscribe, you get bombarded with phone calls about subscriptions...argh

[WebMetro]

What would you suggest they do in order to make money? How can an online eZine offering excellent articles and content make money without gathering demographics from its users?

I agree that calling you 24/7 is not the answer, but what about sending you emails? Popups? Banners?

It is a fine line between offering free content and trying to run a profitable business

[DigitalDragon]

An exchange of an email address for pertinant information seems like a fair trade for me (which is also why I have a junk@digitalpsyche.com email address specifically for such things; all the mail to that addy goes straight to the trash can unless I've got my eye open for something specific) - what I don't like is when a site appears listed in a search for a specific query, appearing as if it has the answer you seek, and when you click the link, the page you see has the first line of your answer (which appread in the SE) and then a "Subscribe for $29.95 yearly to see this and all the other answers to your questions!".

I have no idea of the quality of service, I'm not going to subscribe. Invariably, I find what I'm looking for a little on down the list for free.

[WebMetro]

I understand that, I agree with you in that respect.
But many of the online ezines just want an email address to start with, then offer more benefits if you pay.

I think the best way to have an ezine is by letting people go through your site, read the free content, but after they have looked at 10+ page views, then ask for email and demographics. This way the user can decide if the content is truly worth it.

[eightfifteen]

The simple answer to that is not to use your email address to get access. I always sign up to those things using the email address of the guy who laid me off a couple years ago. Oh, if you are going to do that, make sure you click on all the contact me options, and just imagine the influx of the spam!