Is Tell-A-Friend feature worth adding

[jsinger]

Anyone have experience with commerce sites that offer a tell-a-friend feature? Is it used much? What kind of sites benefit from it?

[surfin2u]

I have it on my directory site and it's definitely a plus. It makes it easy for people who are not very proficient with the web to tell their friends about your site. Try it. What have you got to lose?

[Rugles]

It is worth it.

It adds traffic, and if targeted traffic is what you want, go for it.

[Joop]

We have it on our site, I have no fixed idea of how much extra sales and traffic it generates, but it's free so why not? It certainly doesn't take anything away...

[Sanenet]

Just make sure that you specify that you will not retain or use any emails put into that form. That gets more people using it ;)

[Miklo]

In my opinion, it never hurts.
What is even better, in my opinion, is to start an affiliate program. If people do want to tell a friend, they will do that easier if they get rewarded for it.

You could also reward the Tell A Frienders by other means of course. Just remember that the sky is the limit...

[jsinger]

What have you got to lose?

I just hate gimmicks cluttering up a commerce site. We offer very few shipping options and just a few payment options. Especially with our sites' non-techie clientele, simplicity is a virtue.

But it sounds as if "tell a friend" may be worth trying. Thanks, guys!

[lgn1]

Just make sure you have good customer service, or else they may tell a friend something you rather not want them to hear.

[andy_boyd]

It is especially good if the script emails you a copy ... then you can see what people really think. ;)

[imstillatwork]

I was thinking about add this feature also. I might try it next week...

[jsinger]

It is especially good if the script emails you a copy ... then you can see what people really think. ;)

Sounds like a sort of wire taping to me. Wonder if that might be illegal in some countries. It would be interesting, though. :)

[imstillatwork]

Your site disclaimer should already state that all activity on the web site is or can be recorded for statistical purposes, and that and email addresses, mailing addresses, personal information will be kept confidential.

It's not like they would be sending an email from their PC application and you get a copy of it...

[surfin2u]

Keeping records of activity on your site, including emails generated at the request of visitors, is not something that I think needs to be pointed out to all visitors to the site. Record keeping is something that nearly all Internet sites do.

Some sites choose to have a privacy statement that describes how information will not be sold, published, or shared with other companies.