Join Forms: "Plain" or "Custom"?

[The Porn Nerd]

For years now I've used "plain" join forms, very simple and basic with a white background. My thinking was people like simple not complicated forms. They worked, too, out-performing the standard CCBill join forms 3 to 1.

But lately I've been seeing a shift in forms on other websites. More and more sites are using 'custom' forms, with their banners, logos and backgrounds matching the main site. For years I rejected this in favor of the simple forms but now I want to 'kick things up a notch' and want to try out some more appealing graphics than just the plain white background.

So which do you prefer and, more important, which ones perform better for you? Plain or custom join forms?

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

[fuzebox]

I've always felt that generic, corporate, professional looking forms were more trusted by your average surfer. I have never split test this, however.

[The Porn Nerd]

I've always felt that generic, corporate, professional looking forms were more trusted by your average surfer. I have never split test this, however.

Well I think there's a way to do both: be clean and professional while also including the website's logo, banner, same background as the Tour, etc.

I've seen some examples recently of what I think are kick-ass forms but it's hard to tell how forms like that (as opposed to 'plain' forms with just a white background) actually perform. thus this thread. LOL

[CurrentlySober]

Helicopter FTW !

[Paully]

Helicopter FTW !

FTW whupwhupwhupwhup.

I for one would never sign up to a site that doesnt at least have some credible billing company behind it. With the volatility of adult sites and programs I'd feel safer if I went with a solid, no frills, backed by longevity processor.

I think simpler is better but please do test if you have the time.

Edit: one thing to throw out is tracking through analytics doesnt always work out right with the plain page. +1 for custom

[CurrentlySober]

Well, IMHO Helicopters are a LOT cooler than Planes....

[Paully]

As far as matching the rest of your site. Not sure anyone gives a shit. They know there is a join form and sensitive data needs to be entered.

I've always been a proponent of a safe for work join page. Dudes gotta fine his wallet credit card before some little shit/coworker/wife/gf comes in.

Been working for me.

[Paully]

Well, IMHO Helicopters are a LOT cooler than Planes....

Except that plane that can go straight up and then take off. It's a helo/plane.

[Roald]

For years now I've used "plain" join forms, very simple and basic with a white background. My thinking was people like simple not complicated forms. They worked, too, out-performing the standard CCBill join forms 3 to 1.

But lately I've been seeing a shift in forms on other websites. More and more sites are using 'custom' forms, with their banners, logos and backgrounds matching the main site. For years I rejected this in favor of the simple forms but now I want to 'kick things up a notch' and want to try out some more appealing graphics than just the plain white background.

So which do you prefer and, more important, which ones perform better for you? Plain or custom join forms?

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

Which ones work best is really depending on your setup and tour. How are you funneling traffic to your join, how is your site marketed on the tour etc.

We just went from plain pre-join to a custom one but it is not as easy as that. Even the custom one needs a lot of tweaking and testing.

Easiest is to just split test it and see for yourself. Just don't try 1 setup, try multiple ones.

[DWB]

I'm a fan of clean (and responsive). But test it and see what works best for you. That's all you can do.

[The Porn Nerd]

Which ones work best is really depending on your setup and tour. How are you funneling traffic to your join, how is your site marketed on the tour etc.

We just went from plain pre-join to a custom one but it is not as easy as that. Even the custom one needs a lot of tweaking and testing.

Easiest is to just split test it and see for yourself. Just don't try 1 setup, try multiple ones.

Thanks for this, great advice.

I'm a fan of clean (and responsive). But test it and see what works best for you. That's all you can do.

Test, test and more tests. Ugh, just like high school. LOL!