Idea needed: how to prevent user from signing more than once
I have a 5-step signup page.
User enters business info, staff information, office info, doctor information. Clicks save. Then page goes to payapl or whatever payment method and pays and now they're registered for the site.
Suppose business name is "abc company". How can I make sure this company doesnt sign up more than once? for example, office ABC Company has signed up...then they make a mistake and signup again and pay again. How can I prevent that? I thought about company name, address or office info but I dont that's full proof...for example...what if on the first signup...user enters "ABC Company" and sign up but on second signup they enter "ABC Comp"...
should it be by someone's email? address, a combination? not sure how to prevent an office from signing up over and over again?
User enters business info, staff information, office info, doctor information. Clicks save. Then page goes to payapl or whatever payment method and pays and now they're registered for the site.
Suppose business name is "abc company". How can I make sure this company doesnt sign up more than once? for example, office ABC Company has signed up...then they make a mistake and signup again and pay again. How can I prevent that? I thought about company name, address or office info but I dont that's full proof...for example...what if on the first signup...user enters "ABC Company" and sign up but on second signup they enter "ABC Comp"...
should it be by someone's email? address, a combination? not sure how to prevent an office from signing up over and over again?
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"..most countries issue a company registration number.." e.g. http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/
I don't think there is any way can stop a company registering again. My suggestion is to use some "official" information which you can verify and then remove them again if they have tried to trick you.
I don't think there is any way can stop a company registering again. My suggestion is to use some "official" information which you can verify and then remove them again if they have tried to trick you.
ASKER
I looked at that site...not sure how they're using registeration number....
>>"official" information which you can verify
That's what i dont understand. Company signs up. I issue them a number. How this number can prevent them from signing up again? How is this number used for verification? They have username/pwd to sign in with..
During signup, they have to enter a phone number, website or email. Was thinking about using their email "domain" as verification that they've already signed but this is not good. Phone number...maybe?
>>"official" information which you can verify
That's what i dont understand. Company signs up. I issue them a number. How this number can prevent them from signing up again? How is this number used for verification? They have username/pwd to sign in with..
During signup, they have to enter a phone number, website or email. Was thinking about using their email "domain" as verification that they've already signed but this is not good. Phone number...maybe?
That site ISSUES registration numbers for registered companies in the UK - its an OFFICIAL source.
None of the details you mention are going to prevent them from signing up again. I don't think there is a way, you can for sure check that the email address and phone number are unique, but that won't stop anyone from changing them.
None of the details you mention are going to prevent them from signing up again. I don't think there is a way, you can for sure check that the email address and phone number are unique, but that won't stop anyone from changing them.
ASKER
Yeah, i dont think so either but my manager keeps asking for a solution. I will break the news to him.
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ASKER
Thank you both. Makes sense.
Think also about this...
Lets say you check against a company name or an address and determine they already have an account. Now what do you do?
If you inform the user and they arent actually the same company then you have just given out potentially personal or confidential information about one of your clients. If you're form does it's duplicate checking before the "paypal" portion (to make sure they dont pay twice) then your form is basically a "snif" capable window into your client list.
Say I want to know if my competition is using your services. I just plug in their information and try it out... now I know.
If you're paying attention when you sign up for stuff you may be able to get some insights into the thinking a company put into this type of situation.
It may not be something you care about or may not be relevant to you, but be careful what you're doing and how you report what is happening.
This gives you even more argument for duplicate account policies and why you let them happen to an extent.
Lets say you check against a company name or an address and determine they already have an account. Now what do you do?
If you inform the user and they arent actually the same company then you have just given out potentially personal or confidential information about one of your clients. If you're form does it's duplicate checking before the "paypal" portion (to make sure they dont pay twice) then your form is basically a "snif" capable window into your client list.
Say I want to know if my competition is using your services. I just plug in their information and try it out... now I know.
If you're paying attention when you sign up for stuff you may be able to get some insights into the thinking a company put into this type of situation.
It may not be something you care about or may not be relevant to you, but be careful what you're doing and how you report what is happening.
This gives you even more argument for duplicate account policies and why you let them happen to an extent.
ASKER
So how does this work?
1. Company signs up
2. Company gets a registration number
3. How is this registeration number used if that same company tries to register again? Ask for their registeration number during signup? Not sure how the registeration number would help in preventing a company from signing up again and again...
Yes, you'd think a company wouldnt sign up more than once but you never know!