Instead of asking for the credit card information (which does sound illegal), I've heard of others who have placed a "Buy Now"-type button on the landing page or fill out form fields just up to the credit card fields (say, for a multistep payment process). A user who clicks on "Buy now" or fills out the first part of the payment form is a pretty convincing datapoint.
I haven't tried any of this myself since it raises a big issue for me: Doing this makes a promise that you don't intend to keep (at that moment). If trust is what gets users to buy, isn't it counter-productive to violate a user's act of trust?
I'd like to get over this because I can see how experiments like this can be useful and I hope you'll keep us all posted with your success rate. Some things I'm curious to know are:
* How much time passed between your AdWords test and your MVP launch?
* Of the emails captured, how many participated in the beta and eventually became paying users?
I will definitely do a follow-up on this. It seems like there is quite a bit of interest in this type of testing. I will provide some numbers as soon as I have them.
About a month ago, I filled out an application/request with an NGO (Acumen Fund) about opening a local chapter where I live (Melbourne). My understanding that if they get enough requests, they'll try to get a local chapter going.
Now I got a response that they want to extend a 'special invitation' to use their 'to register on our brand new community site' where I can get involved and maybe new chapters will materialise.
The timing seems pretty convenient. I suspect that the request/suggestion form was really a list building excercise for the community site. It's a Ning. Those things need to cross a substantial chicken-egg hurdle before they are any use to anyone.
I admit, there was no blatant lie. It isn't really exactly the same thing. But it is sending out feelers & building email lists. They could have also put up a big 'join our community' button on the site that led to an 'sorry, under construction' page after you "sign up." Maybe they did. It was a little bit sneaky. I still joined & even started a group. I'm not angry with them. I'll even mention it to others.
I haven't tried any of this myself since it raises a big issue for me: Doing this makes a promise that you don't intend to keep (at that moment). If trust is what gets users to buy, isn't it counter-productive to violate a user's act of trust?
I'd like to get over this because I can see how experiments like this can be useful and I hope you'll keep us all posted with your success rate. Some things I'm curious to know are:
* How much time passed between your AdWords test and your MVP launch? * Of the emails captured, how many participated in the beta and eventually became paying users?
Best of luck!