I hope this is an appropriate forum for this topic. If not, I apologize.To rephrase the question, I am debating a new tactic that some marketers are trying to implement that goes against everything I know about site usability, retention, conversion, etc. Now, I need some hard evidence (read as best practice documents from reliable sources) to back what I know to be true so that I can squash this down. I totally understand that the only hard evidence is data and I am working that angle on my own.The idea is simple. Advertise that we have white paper X and point the user to a custom landing page. This is where things have started going wrong. Here's the process:Get to landing pageFill out form to receive an email on how to download it (seriously...I know)Thank you...check your emailClick link in email and get to a download page (branded similar to the original landing page)File downloads automatically if it can. We also showcase other documents the user might be interested in.The process above was the best compromise I could sell them on. #5 is the hot point here though because they don't like the extra step when it could have ended with #4 if the email had a direct link to the file.So, I know there is so much wrong with this, but I cannot seem to sell 2 main things. I'm hoping you guys can point me in the right direction on these 2 things.Why shouldn't they leave the site in the first placeWhy, if #1 has to happen, should step #5 exist.Remember, professional opinions need to be left out of it. I need hard evidence (read as best practice documents from reliable sources) to present to the product marketing manager.
Why do you need to keep users engaged through your site?
marketing;usability;user engagement
I hate this. I hate it, hate it, hate it. Every time I see a website that makes me fxcking register just to get a fxking download I generally leave the site because someone else is going to offer it for less work.These sites also stink of marketing-collectors so when I see them, I feel that if I DO sign up, I'm going to get spammed to the end of the world and back.I know this is just anecdotal, but if you get enough anecdotal evidence that might be enough.