Basic accounts suggestion

[starwatcher307]

Title
Basic accounts suggestion

Short, concise description of the idea
There is talk of restoring basic accounts for some people. This one suggestion of a possible tiered account system, that I think would benefit the LJ business and users alike.

Full description of the ideaDespite Mr. Nosik's disparaging dismissal of the stripped-down level of

Comments

[charliemc]

I have to agree that if the only option when I joined back in 2002 had been for a Plus account, I probably wouldn't be here today. (That should be food for thought for the LJ owners, considering I've been a Paid user most of the time I've been here -- and now have a Permanent account.) I, too, don't like playing at places full of advertising content. (sigh)

It would be nice to see additional options for paid accounts -- that aren't as spendy as the usual ones. I know that $25 a year doesn't seem like much, but if you have more than one paid account, it can easily add up!

+1

Good idea!

(What does it tell us that there are soooooooooo many suggestions regarding the change to Plus accounts and no Basic account???)

[starwatcher307]

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It would be nice to see additional options for paid accounts -- that aren't as spendy as the usual ones.

Yes, I can see someone getting a lot of the 'bells and whistles' for a main account, then basic + one or two options for others.

(What does it tell us that there are soooooooooo many suggestions regarding the change to Plus accounts and no Basic account???)

Probably that the LJ owners don't really understand their user-base... but we knew that.
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[cos]

It seems to me that if you know in advance the account is a "trial" you're not going to use it unless you're already planning to or considering to commit further. People get slowly drawn into LJ over many months or sometimes years, and that happens because they just start an account without knowing what they're going to do with it. When they find themselves actually using it a year or two later, then they are more likely to pay - or to get a gift paid account from a friend.

[adudeabides]

Agreed. I started not knowing what I'd do, and got drawn into LJ. When it comes to trial accounts, I can't think of a time I've used one without the decision already having been made prior.

[starwatcher307]

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As I remarked to Cos, not everyone reacts the same way. I have *always* used a trial account as just that. I don't know what it'll be like until I try it, and I'm not inclined to pay to try. I was extremely suspicious of the whole 'LJ' experience when my friends twisted my arm to try it. Turned out I like it -- but I wouldn't be here if I'd had to pay upfront.
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[starwatcher307]

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*shrug* Different reactions by different people. I was dragged into LJ almost literally kicking and screaming. When I tried it, I liked it (after I got through the learning curve). If I had had to pay upfront, or accept ads, I simply would not even have tried.

It doesn't seem unreasonable to expect people to make a choice after four months -- minimal pay for bare-bones basic, or accept ads, or leave. If they don't like [1] or [2], there's always option [3].
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[ex_uniquewo]

I started with a basic account -- no payment, no ads. After about four months, I went paid (Plus wasn't an option) and have maintained that for 3-1/2 years. If I had to pay before I decided if I liked the place, or to look at ad content which I despise, I wouldn't be here.

Hear, hear. I think this is excellent food for thought. I like the idea of a trial version very much.

[starwatcher307]

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Exactly. I was VERY leery of getting into LJ; friends twisted my arm for a couple of months. I finally caved because they said, "A basic account is free, so if you don't like it you haven't lost anything." If instead, the selling point was, "A basic account is free, but you'll have ads placed on your page," my response would have been to sneer and walk away. It's why I'm not on MySpace, or similar places.
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[isiscolo]

I don't care for the idea of a la carte accounts, unless there's also a catch-all paid account as well. I would not pay extra for a customizable account by itself, for example, but I'll pay the paid-account fee that includes it with other things. (Er, hypothetically; I have a permanent account.)

I do like the idea of a bare-bones basic, though. But not one that expires at a given time - I agree with cos. Three (or even just one, really) icons, no polls, no scrapbook, limited choice of layouts. Easy-peasy.

The thing is that I believe that if people are introduced to a service in ad-free mode, they will prefer to pay rather than see ads. The question is: for LJ, is it better for users to pay, or to see ads? (I don't know.)

[starwatcher307]

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I don't care for the idea of a la carte accounts, unless there's also a catch-all paid account as well.

No reason why there can't be. I didn't think of it, but LJ will read this (won't they?) and may well make it part of the structure -- assuming they go for the idea at all.

The thing is that I believe that if people are introduced to a service in ad-free mode, they will prefer to pay rather than see ads.

I think so, too, which is why I suggested it.

The question is: for LJ, is it better for users to pay, or to see ads?

I suspect option #2 is better for LJ. But the next question is -- is it better to have many low-level paid accounts, or to have people avoid the system because they hate ads?
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[nakeisha]

This doesn't affect me personally (i.e. I have a personal account) but I think it sounds like a splendid idea. I really like the a la carte menu idea.

Do you envisage this only being for new members, or could existing members take advantage of it as well?

And is this only for personal accounts or would it apply to communities too?

For example I own several comms - all but one are basic. However I chose to pay for one simply because I a) want to use the customised mood theme and b) wanted to be able to do advanced editing on the layout that I had to change as several members were having problems with it. However, I don't and never, ever, ever, ever, never, use Scrapbook - I can't get my head around it. I've tried and failed miserably nor is there any point me having 100+ icons because hey, I can't use them. And I'll never use voice posts either.

[starwatcher307]

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Do you envisage this only being for new members, or could existing members take advantage of it as well?

I don't mean to be flip, I doubt that LJ gives a flip what I think. That said, I'd like to see it across the board; anyone can increase (or decrease) their account to their preferred level.

And is this only for personal accounts or would it apply to communities too?

Again -- not that they'll ask me! -- I think it should go for communities as well as personal accounts. Really, having the same system for all is the only way to prevent cries of, "His piece of pie is nicer than mine!"
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[nakeisha]

I doubt that LJ gives a flip what I think.

Sadly, that is very true, I feel.

But it should be a single system - far easier to maintain too.