Free vs. Sponsor Listings: The Login Wall Explained
Quick Answer
Free listings hide your phone, address, and website behind a "login wall" – visitors must create and verify a Heritage Web account to see these details. Sponsor listings ($25/month) remove this barrier completely, displaying all contact information to every visitor without requiring any login.
Overview
The login wall is the most significant difference between free and sponsor listings on Heritage Web. This single feature can dramatically impact how many potential clients actually contact you, as it determines whether visitors face friction or enjoy seamless access to your contact information.
The Login Wall Impact
What Visitors See: Free Listings
When someone finds your free listing:
Immediately visible:
Your name and headline
Bio and description
Specialties and services
Message button
Hidden behind login wall:
Phone numbers
Physical address
Website URL
Direct contact methods
To access hidden information, visitors must:
Click "Create Account"
Enter name, email, and optional details
Verify email address
Log back into Heritage Web
Return to your listing
What Visitors See: Sponsor Listings
When someone finds your sponsor listing:
Everything visible immediately
Phone numbers displayed
Full address shown
Website link active
Message button available
Zero barriers to contact
Comparison Table
Feature | Free Listing | Sponsor Listing ($25/month) |
Phone Number | Hidden (login required) | Visible to everyone |
Address | Hidden (login required) | Visible to everyone |
Website | Hidden (login required) | Visible to everyone |
Message Button | Visible to everyone | Visible to everyone |
Account Required | Yes, with email verification | No |
Contact Friction | High | None |
Typical Conversion | Lower | 2-3x higher |
Why the Login Wall Matters
Visitor Psychology
With login wall (Free):
40-60% abandon when asked to create account
Additional 20% don't complete email verification
Significantly reduced contact rates
Lost opportunity for immediate connection
Without login wall (Sponsor):
Instant gratification for visitors
Call immediately when motivated
No second thoughts or delays
Capture high-intent moments
Real-World Impact
Consider this scenario:
Free listing: Potential client searches for a lawyer at 9 PM, finds your profile, sees login requirement, decides to "do it tomorrow" – never returns
Sponsor listing: Same client sees your phone number immediately, calls your office, leaves voicemail, becomes a client
Important Notes
The Message button is always visible on both free and sponsor listings
You can still hide specific contact details even as a sponsor
Login wall applies to ALL your listings if you only have free listings
ONE sponsor listing removes the login wall from your entire account
FAQs
Does the login wall affect my search ranking? No, but sponsor listings do appear above free listings in search results, providing additional visibility benefits.
Can visitors still message me if I have a free listing? Yes! The Message button works without login for all listings. Only direct contact information is behind the login wall.
If I sponsor just one listing, does it remove the login wall from all my listings? The sponsor benefits apply to the specific listing you sponsor. Each listing maintains its own free/sponsor status.
Why does Heritage Web have a login wall? It encourages visitor engagement with the platform while providing clear value for sponsor subscriptions, supporting the platform's sustainability.
Can I track how many people abandon due to the login wall? Not directly, but sponsors typically see 2-3x more direct contacts than free listings, indicating significant abandonment.
Next Steps
Review your current listing status (free vs. sponsor)
Calculate potential ROI of removing the login wall
Consider starting with one sponsor listing to test impact
Monitor contact volume changes if you upgrade