When do users get created?

[michael.p.larsen]

When someone visits our site, does Able create an anonymous user right then and there on first visit? Or is it created only when they add something to their cart?

[jmestep]

The user is created on the first page visited.

[michael.p.larsen]

So for every unique visitor... on the first page visit, a brand new user account is created?

Why wouldn't you only create a user when someone adds an item to their basket? It seems like the way Able is going at this is a bit of overkill...

[Ron]

I am guessing, from an unexperienced point of view, that a new user account is not created just from a visit. A user , I'm thinking, at that point is similar to a session ID used to track the path and activity of a visitor to the site, and keep information related to that activity available for use within the session. When the User checks out, there is the option to create a customer account or remain anonymous.

[mazhar]

Yes Ron you are getting it properly. Actually user created on first visit will be anonymous and when customer will sign-up for new account all the information will be moved into new user account with tracking data, cart etc and then old anonymous user is available to be collected by maintenance routine remove unnecessary users records.