Capture Custom Data from User/Visitor Downloads

David Link asked on May 20, 2015 20:51

Hi all,

We have a client site running 8.2 where we want to capture custom data from users/contacts/visitors as they download files from the site. Although we've tried a couple ways to get and store certain information from a site visitor/user, the current solution has too many clicks for a user to download just one file.

What we want is this, in the most basic sense: for a site visitor to click once on a link (to download a file/PDF) that is in a list/table (in an editable html WP) and for two things to occur after the one click: download the specified file and capture a certain bit of information about the user.

What we want is to know certain specific things regarding the visitor; We don't just want IP, location, and other basic information about the visitor (think Contact Management app). We want to capture bits of information such as email address, phone number, industry representation, etc. Ultimately, it would be great if a CMS desk admin could go to one app, and see all this information next to each downloaded file, along with date/time, etc.

As I understand, there are many ways to do something similar to what we want. We have made a couple ways to achieve our goal(s), but with too many clicks for the visitor. How would you suggest achieving what we want?

Thanks, David

Recent Answers

Brenden Kehren answered on May 20, 2015 20:56

What license are you running? EMS will handle everything you're looking for.

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Charles Matvchuk answered on May 20, 2015 21:04 (last edited on May 20, 2015 21:06)

I am not sure I am following you. Are the users anonymous? If they are then you will need a form they need to fill out of course then upon submit you would save the information and then take them to the download page or make a download link available on the page after successful submission. You elude to "there are too many clicks". Without understanding or seeing exactly what is currently going on then really there is no way to recommend a better solution.

As for the cms admin, you can create any type of UI and grid/list or report that you want and through UI personalization/customization show it to the admin in the format you want. Additionally, you could create a custom control/page and use it in the Back End, with the exact layout you want.

I guess, shooting in the dark a bit, you would have the files, etc. that you want them to download. When a user clicks on one (assuming anonymous) then a form will popup or expand and require the information to be filled in. Once you click submit on the call back the file could start to download.

Please elaborate exactly what you are trying to do, visually that helps as well.

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David Link answered on May 20, 2015 21:15

Thanks guys, I'll try explain a little more, but I purposefully left things a little sparse so to not lock your thinking into a box.

It would be nice if a site visitor didn't have to log-in, but if they have to, it's not a deal breaker. So it that sense, we would like a visitor to remain just a "contact" as Kentico understands.

Charles, A form does accomplish everything we want, except that it's too much for a visitor to fill out a form each time they download a file. For this site, visitors will often download several files in a session, and often come back later for more. We want the UX to be "I go to the file list, hit download, and it just downloads."

Regarding the admin side, I would just like all the information to be right there, in one app. I don't want our CMS desk admin's to have to click between apps/screens to get all the info. It would also be great to pop contacts over to email marketing. It would be really great to segment the contacts by one of the custom fields captured for the contact.

Brenden, Could you elaborate?

Thanks

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Charles Matvchuk answered on May 20, 2015 21:22 (last edited on May 20, 2015 21:25)

Two ways you can go for the contact data. And I would definitely recommend #2.

1) Have them fill out the form and then use cookies to either store information or use session with a cookie. 2) Have them Log In and capture all the information he first time they log in, demographics, etc. This is the method I would use, since then I can control who downloads and filter out bots and scrapers more easily.

For the back end form you will have to customize and create your own list, either via the grids that are OOTB or create your own .acsx or page and go from there. Use UI Customization in the back end to set up the interface.

Here is a post of mine which you get some inspiration from. It establishes a custom UI in the Back End. Back End Customization Form/list

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