So it's saying using accounts is not such a good idea......wonder if I should just disable it.

With the other stuff, I feel that if they are so willing to just split with any little inconvenience, chances are they will not be the best customers when they get their item. I'd rather have someone really wanting the item and willing to be annoyed a little bit.

BTW, what do they mean by validate? Is that to make sure something is there, or is it suppose to make sure it's accurate?

I think it's a program to make sure the info matches by validating through USPS or some other shipping system?  I have seen this before when I try to buy something and don't get a tiny detail right-- very annoying.  This is my guess.

Yes, I have disabled customer accounts a while back.  I think that is a mistake to have active.  Thank you!

I remember someone asking years ago to make the phone number required. 

Id prefer it show as "optional", but its not something I care much about either way.      I did like the list though.. the ideas behind the specific suggestions. 

I never added the "customer account" code when it came out.  I do get repeat customers, but I only have, perhaps, 5 people ordering more than 2x a year.      I think its GREAT that HW offers the feature, because there are certainly businesses where it would be a large benefit to have.   I can see where even having it at all is a turn off for some people.

The thing is... we all have our own "ways", right?     Little things that "kinda bother me" are not the same things that "kinda bother other people".    My sister and her hubby are SO ANAL about "creating accounts" of any kind, any place.   I guess they are concerned they will get spam emails and junk paper mail, etc.     I feel like those things hardly matter anymore (email tools, etc), and I feel like my BIL became fixated on it at some point, and now doesnt even really KNOW WHY, he just knows "Im not going to be making any accounts" (even if it were something offering him added convinience, for a product/service/business he uses very frequently ---- he is just SET in "I do not make accounts" mode.

Thats a little thing that bothers me about HIM.   LOL

Obviously, there are many other things that bother him about ME.   Like, I come into his house (while staying for 3 nights) and do not immediately put every single item into my bag and put my bag in the place designated for it (and all my dds stuff too).      That bothers HIM about me, AND, it bothers ME about him.

We deal, of course!   

Anyway... point is.... I try as hard as I can to open my mind to the preferences and "little things that bother" potential customers.    honestly, Im NOT NEAR as good about that when it comes to people in my personal life.    

So, yes.... it bothers some people to be asked to create an account (even if they could skip it... *I* figure "if it can be skipped then WHO CARES that its an OPTION".... but, I know that some people don't think of it that way.), it bothers some to be asked for their phone number... maybe they think they will get on a list, maybe they dont know their cell number off hand, whatever it is.

I would hope it wouldnt be a reason to turn back, once one is already within check out.... but.. if anything else happens to impede them (including something on THEIR end), they may be less likely to pick back up with the purchase. 

You never know, and there is no way TO know. 

I was going to disable the accounts, but actually have some repeat customers that use it. I like the repeat customers best, so I will keep the accounts going....lol

Phone numbers aren't required now. I'd like them to be as I'd rather have the phone number for credit card orders than a big order with a NA for a phone number. If they don't trust me, I don't trust them >:)

These tips are nice, but we have to remind ourselves that many of those potential customers could be scammers. If we just asked for shipping and credit card info, we are really putting ourselves at risk. Those with Paypal and Google can already checkout without entering any info at my store, so they should be fine. The others are the ones placing credit card orders. I figure the more info they are willing to enter, the less likely I will be getting a chargeback.

I have had orders where I needed to do searches on the phone number to see if the orders were legit. If the billing info matches and their phone number matches up, I am willing to send out higher dollar orders.

Good to know that phone number is not currently a required field (I know its been talked about in the past... I can never remember which way it is).

As with so many settings for online stores... allowing the store owner the option to use/not use something, the option to require/not require something, etc, would be optimal for "require phone number".