NO TIME TO BLOG

There is a very simple rule when you want to get people to sign up to your email database, only force them to enter their email address. The reason for this very simple rule is that as you force people to enter more information they are less likely to sign up, why? Some people can't be bothered to fill in long forms and some people do not want to give you personal information.

It is surprising how many websites ignore this simple rule, take the Kerrang website for example, I went to sign up this morning for their newsletter and the experience is a mess.

1. I started my signup process my entering my email address into the 'noiseletter' box and the top and clicking go. I expected to then be taken to a confirmation screen and signed up but was instead I was taken to another screen where I had to fill in more information.
2. The form is not clear on what is required information.
3. My email address was not encoded correctly, rather than me@petermccormack.co.uk as I entered it it is now me%40petermccormack.co.uk. Surely basic testing would have found this?
4. It appears that I am required to enter my name, sex, title, date of birth and postcode to receive the newsletter. 
5. The absolute classic ending though is within the terms, read this 'Part of the deal is that Kerrang.com will from time to time send you communications regarding the promotions, products and services of other carefully selected organisations. Don't worry - you can unsubscribe from these communications at any time.' Is this even legal?

Why Doesn't Kerrang Make It Easy For People To Submit Their Information?

Anyway I continued to submit my form and received the page below, again what? I don't even know if my subscription submitted, there is no confirmation message, no error message and no confirmation email, just the same page refreshed but the fields cleared.