Login Wall for Internet Access

Forum Moderators: phranque

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Login Wall for Internet Access

csdude55

11:59 pm on Jun 11, 2018 (gmt 0)

I'm not really sure if this falls in to the arena of a webmaster, but you guys are the only people I know to ask.

My local downtown is talking about offering free internet service throughout the downtown, and it's going to cost them around $3,000 /month.

I'm thinking about putting in a bid to cover this expense for them, with the condition that the user go to a login wall with my logo on it (and maybe an auto-redirect to my site after they log in). Financially, it makes sense for me because I could cut out a few local billboards and get better advertising with direct and trackable results, and the additional clicks and ad revenue might offset the cost (which turns in to pay-for-itself marketing).

But I know jack squat about setting up a login wall like that. Anybody here have experience in this? Any suggestions on hardware, software, or potential pitfalls?

phranque

9:21 am on Jun 12, 2018 (gmt 0)

you want something like a hotspot with captive portal features.
not sure what that's called at an ISP level but the access portal would be implemented on a web server.

robzilla

1:00 pm on Jun 12, 2018 (gmt 0)

It's an interesting move, but also a hefty price tag, and presumably something for the long term. I don't know much about it, but if you're going to auto-redirect to your website, I'd make it a landing page with something relevant to the user and/or the service provided. Maybe offer a coupon if applicable, or provide links to helpful local resources, a customized starting page with web search options, or something like that. A simple redirect to your homepage would be confusing and possibly annoying, and not likely to create the good-will you're seeking.

lucy24

3:58 pm on Jun 12, 2018 (gmt 0)

Before you spend too much time investigating the how-to, make sure the city would allow this to be done. If it turns out they were hoping for someone to provide the service out of the sheer goodness of their heart (or sheer goodness plus $3000/mo, whichever is cheaper) it's not worth even pursuing inquiries. Unless, that is, you�ve worked out how to do it for $300/month actual cost to yourself, leaving you an extra $2700 to spend on your existing advertising methods.