V4.1.x Anonymous Listing

[belvedere +]

Does anybody know if there's an add-on to be able to place adverts without having to register?

[Mike-N-Tosh +]

No there is not. This same question keeps popping up and I don't understand why. How could you post an ad trying to sell something anonymously? Are the buyers going to pay the seller anonymously too? With all the fraud on the internet today, why would you even want to consider something like this?

In addition, having a place that you could post anonymously would be a SPAM FEST in no time.

[damiun +]

Hi Mike,

Its about the easyness (easiness ??)

If people first have to register, than have to place an listing, its so much work.

I also had this problem, that i found it too much work.
But i just disabled the email verification, so their account is active in a sec.

I sell during the registration that they need to enter a valid email, but i edited the thanks message so they know they can login directly.

This makes it a bit more easier for the visitors.
(@mike, if you have a sec, can you look at my other thread ? click here

[belvedere +]

Well when placing the ad they would enter an email address and choose the province or city. The system then sends them an email with a confirmation link. Once confirmed by the anonymous user the ad can be approved. This would avoid the spam. I have seen several very big european classified websites that have this system and seems to work very well.

[damiun +]

Hi,

I understand what your want,
The competition (deltascripts classifieds) has a mod for this: DeltaMods.com Shop

68classifieds decided not to make it a standard feature, so or add your wish (although, i think its already on it) using the feedbackbutton on your right.

Or place a request for a developer, and keep your fingers crossed if someone is able to help you.
But i personally think that it would be very hard to do this, how can people change their listing if they have no account.
How can you monitor your site properly without having accounts, the pm system canot work without a account, you cannot see other listings of the advertiser etc. etc.

I understand your pov, if you have a mod, i also would be interested, and i do wish you luck

[Eric Barnes]

Yes there is a feature request in for this and I have to agree about the spam issue and about general security when using a system like that.

I did just post an add on Craigslist and they use a similar system. Basically I placed the ad with only my email then I am sent an email with my "special" link to edit it. Another thing to think about is spam.

[belvedere +]

By having to reply to the email link, doesn't that eliminate spam?
I have placed ads on classified sites that have this system and you modify or manage your add by entering your email address and password. Interested buyers can also send you an email through the system.

Mike

[Lhotch +]

Originally Posted by belvedere

By having to reply to the email link, doesn't that eliminate spam?
I have placed ads on classified sites that have this system and you modify or manage your add by entering your email address and password. Interested buyers can also send you an email through the system.

Mike

easier for users means easier for spammers.

The big difference is that spammers automate things so if you make it too easy you really open yourself to spam.

[seymourjames +]

If you make it easy by offering a trivial way to post ads, you open your site to spamming in a big way (you will find that out soon enough so no complaints boys afterward that you have been spammed to death and your customers too). Quality and relevance will also take a hit. Quite frankly I think this is bad marketing strategy too. Being a member of something implies value in that something - your real problem is not ease of advertising but conveying value.

What you might like to consider is why someone wants to advertise with you? what is going to make your site special (differentiation), etc. Internet marketing is no different to any marketing. The principles remain the same. Its like free ads may be great to prime a site but it means your sellers come to expect it. A better strategy is to charge but target certain types of sellers and offer them coupons which makes it just free for them. Let them prime your site. 50% get it free and 50% don't. Eventually you transition to all paid.

[guillopuig +]

Very true David. I was also looking for an option to let people post w/o account but the facts stated here make so much sense. Not a good idea.