First, thanks for checking out the site. To your point, Lookcraft gives you personalized recommendations based on your style and fit. As a result, it doesn't really make sense for us to not collect registration info up front.
As a more general point, the reason you see this kind of stuff all the time is that it simply converts better. I spent two years working full-time on funnel and conversion optimization and unfortunately things that many people would view as 'user unfriendly' are the things that convert the best. This is not just measuring the next step in the funnel either, you can measure all the way down to purchase (or whatever your unit of conversion is) and this method of user interaction just works better. I may lose you as a customer, but the statistics dictate that I'm going to do much better overall if I do things this way which is why everybody does. (Groupon, Fab, Gilt, etc).
I also didn't like having to give my email just to see what you're selling, but did it anyway. And then found out that you're "full up", but you'll get back to me when there's room. I'm annoyed that that I'll now get email from you and so far you've provided me nothing.
>I may lose you as a customer, but the statistics dictate that I'm going to do much better overall if I do things this way which is why everybody does. (Groupon, Fab, Gilt, etc).
I've bought 1 thing on Groupon, 1 thing on LivingSocial, 0 on Fab, 0 on Gilt, 0 on One Kings Lane, and I initially signed up for all of them.
And yet reading that your site was fashion for men still (at least initially) piqued my interest.
Perhaps you should target a different customer: me -- a minimalist who just wants a good, focused product line that incorporates color (e.g. like J.Crew).
Sometimes my wife sends me a link to a Fab.com item. I am not registered and it asks me to register before I can see that item. I just close the window.
As a more general point, the reason you see this kind of stuff all the time is that it simply converts better. I spent two years working full-time on funnel and conversion optimization and unfortunately things that many people would view as 'user unfriendly' are the things that convert the best. This is not just measuring the next step in the funnel either, you can measure all the way down to purchase (or whatever your unit of conversion is) and this method of user interaction just works better. I may lose you as a customer, but the statistics dictate that I'm going to do much better overall if I do things this way which is why everybody does. (Groupon, Fab, Gilt, etc).