Data Mining is Not Mining for Gold

In case you haven’t heard the term data mining, a simple example is when you subscribe to an email newsletter. The form you fill in with your name and your email is the most common method of data mining. This is the most common method of data mining.

Now, even when you download a free white paper it’s in exchange for the common personal details. Except for WordPress, that is.

Anyway, data mining isn’t mining for gold. Meaning you shouldn’t dig too deep or on the Internet, force your users to give too much personal detail for a single download. Unless, it’s for say the location map to the fountain of youth.

The example above is what made me want to publish this article. I filled up the form out of curiousity and evaluated if the offered white paper was truly worth my personal details. Simple answer, not really.

Put it simply, you shouldn’t dig too deep if your offering isn’t the weight or value of gold. Hence, always ask yourself if you’d exchange the requested personal details in exchange for the offering you are giving your users.

I’ve consulted clients on this before. The smart ones understand and ask for suggestions, whereas the insistent ones later find out not a lot of visitors are subscribing to their offer. Don’t make the same mistake!

What are the most common details you have given in exchange for information?

Create an Effective Website Under Construction Homepage

Ideas are everywhere! And I found Modal’s website not long ago when doing some research for a client. They were featured in one of the CSS galleries for their new website landing page. Or, I’d say their functional under construction page.

Who said under construction pages always needed the “Men at Work” signage or the yellow-black bar barrier with a huge message telling visitors your website is still under construction.

Think out of the box whenever you’ve a website undergoing maintenance, construction (new website) or even, when webpage errors arise.

Have some fun and stop being a stick.