One From The CSMonitor, by Gregory M. Lamb on the troubles with measuring web site visitors.
“You’d think that the Web would be the most easily measured medium because all the interaction is electronic, and we can track the interaction. But it turns out to be not so simple,”
They say the “free registration” helps them keep much better track of visitors. Any short-term drop in unique visitors or page views will be compensated for by gaining a clearer picture of who the loyal readers are.
register to view
If a site asks me to register, I move on. No one asks me when I walk in a store what my name and e-mail are, or where I live, or if they can send me a bag of cookies.
TANSTAAFL
Stores don’t give away their merchandise on a continual basis without expecting something in return.