pros vs. cons photo required to sign up

[whitney wise long]

I am having some negative feedback that people joining my network do not want to upload their photo and then leave the site.  Others say it is too complicated.  Have tried it both ways - requiring photo and then not.  Can't decide if worth losing members over this but don't want a sea of icons in the where the individuals photos should be.  Anyone else have this problem and what did you do?  Thanks!

[Atheist Universe]

Our default member icon says "Please add a profile picture."

It seems to be working for us =)

[Eric Suesz]

Great idea! 

[Debby de Wilde]

Great idea! 

[Luciano Costa]

Thank you for the great tip. I added something similar for my network and it looks sharp. I hope it helps motivate a few members that haven't uploaded a picture yet. Any member that don't upload a photo for specific time frame, I temporarily suspend them.  I don't want a network full of faceless profiles.  I think it leads to some negative interactions and mistrust.

[Damien Hannah]

I think I will try this method as suggested by Athiest Universe. Mine is set to optional, but considered making it mandatory, considering I have a photography based social network, you'd figure everyone would upload a photo...

[Joel D. Galbraith]

We "require" it for our professional community.  We feel it helps keep up the level of professionalism we expect in our community.  A few employees don't all choose to upload one at rather than use their official employee directory photo.  We remind them and tolerate the blue place holder images--but don't allow other profile images or avatars.  We're not concerned about losing people over this, however.

[Joel D. Galbraith]

See our public landing page at here.   We don't see lots of clicks on the profile images, but I feel like giving them that prominent real estate subtly says you are part of a community of many others in here.

[Santa Norm]

 

 

We use to default to this:

 

but now we require picture, it works for us.

[Star-Dust]

I have it set to add a image and not just personal photos.

[Star-Dust]

It is set for photo but if one wants a avatar it will also load that. It just work that way. Or my Ning is broke...

I had a member who was burn badly, so it does not matter to me  if they want a avatar. You being more serious site, l can understand but l am just a social network staying in touch with friends.

[Shadow]

We allow members to use their own choice avatar. as far as using personal photo your kind of touching a big conspiracy on ones privacy. as long as their content is of the nature of your site..shouldnt worry about if their personal photo is showing..some just like the privacy..and I am afraid you will continue to lose members if you stay with this routine. it is a major ordeal going down even with facebook about privacy it is a violation of our rights and to be forced to .well next step would be gastoppo..? just sayin

Peace

Shadow

[Star-Dust]

I agree with you, some people just can not post a real photo.