Paid member download limiting?

Simon · 2010-04-28, 07:23 AM

Something to consider. Are you going to very clearly tell the surfers, in a way they can absolutely not miss before they sign up for a membership, that there are daily download limits? (Does that even sound like a good reason to join a site to you?)

I'm not sure why you're interested in doing this, but there may be a better way to achieve the result you really want, unless of course what you really want is just to limit your members enjoyment of your content in whatever way they choose.

Are you having a big problem now with too many members logging in and downloading the whole members area? Is that, or something like that, what's driving your interest in limiting how much your paid members can download each day?

Remember that not everyone uses a member area the same way. Some will login every day to enjoy content online (and those members want to see new things added regularly or they'll cancel). Others will login every so often and download a bunch of content to enjoy offline. And yes, some will try to download everything they can soon after they join. But unless you clearly state how paid members are and are not allowed to access the content, those members would be well within their rights to believe they can do whatever they want for the next month once they've paid their money.

Done wrong, your plans can cost you more in lost members than any perceived 'loss' you might incur from members downloading content they believe they have a right to download.

Just my opinion here of course.

tortus32 · 2010-04-28, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon

Are you having a big problem now with too many members logging in and downloading the whole members area? Is that, or something like that, what's driving your interest in limiting how much your paid members can download each day?

Yes! I would set the limit pretty high, probably above what the normal user does every day. I just don't want users downloading the whole damn site every day. I have seen this in use before. One site that I signed up for was www.amateurallure.com - and the site said nothing about daily limits, but you were limited to something like 1 or 2 video downloads a day. I really saw nothing wrong with that as it seemed fair. That's not what I would do as I really don't have many videos anyway - my site is mostly photos.

Useless · 2010-04-28, 07:59 AM

I suggest that you purchase Strongbox to make sure that the people who are downloading a lot are really your paid members and not using shared passwords, then leave it at that. I wouldn't suggest limiting paid members in any manner. No matter what you do, your content is perishable and it will get passed around.

tickler · 2010-04-28, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tortus32

One site that I signed up for was www.amateurallure.com - and the site said nothing about daily limits, but you were limited to something like 1 or 2 video downloads a day.

I've seen a few sites(retained pretty good) that show maybe approx. 30 quality videos for download per day, and then rotate through their entire catalog adding/dropping videos each day.

That way there is plenty for the surfers to keep coming back to, and it doesn't put your whole catalog available at the same time for the site rippers.

2010-04-28, 07:23 AM	#1
Simon That which does not kill us, will try, try again. Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Conch Republic Posts: 5,150	Something to consider. Are you going to very clearly tell the surfers, in a way they can absolutely not miss before they sign up for a membership, that there are daily download limits? (Does that even sound like a good reason to join a site to you?) I'm not sure why you're interested in doing this, but there may be a better way to achieve the result you really want, unless of course what you really want is just to limit your members enjoyment of your content in whatever way they choose. Are you having a big problem now with too many members logging in and downloading the whole members area? Is that, or something like that, what's driving your interest in limiting how much your paid members can download each day? Remember that not everyone uses a member area the same way. Some will login every day to enjoy content online (and those members want to see new things added regularly or they'll cancel). Others will login every so often and download a bunch of content to enjoy offline. And yes, some will try to download everything they can soon after they join. But unless you clearly state how paid members are and are not allowed to access the content, those members would be well within their rights to believe they can do whatever they want for the next month once they've paid their money. Done wrong, your plans can cost you more in lost members than any perceived 'loss' you might incur from members downloading content they believe they have a right to download. Just my opinion here of course. __________________ "If you're happy and you know it, think again." -- Guru Pitka

2010-04-28, 07:59 AM	#3
Useless Certified Nice Person Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Dirty Undies, NY Posts: 11,268	I suggest that you purchase Strongbox to make sure that the people who are downloading a lot are really your paid members and not using shared passwords, then leave it at that. I wouldn't suggest limiting paid members in any manner. No matter what you do, your content is perishable and it will get passed around. __________________ Click here to purchase a bridge I'm selling.