Maybe some "startups" using this technique to harvesting email addresses. But in this case, we need the email to inform about the current progress and select future beta users. We know the problem with this kind of landing pages, but this is a good way to proof the concept, acceptance, get feedback and work together with future customers.
...we need the email to inform about the current progress and select future beta users.
So why don't you hint about it in the landing page?
My process was:
1. Open the page
2. Saw "build your own webinar tool"
3. Saw email field
4. Saw join button
and thought: "If I enter my email in this box this will give me access to some kind of personalizable webinar tool, but I don't know if I need this yet", then closed the page.
You need to rework the landing page so the visitor knows what they are doing exactly when they click the "JOIN NOW!" button.
i'm with you are on this one as well. i'm tried of seeing these "startup" sites that basically show you nothing of the product yet want you to trust them with your email address. how do i know there is even a product behind this site? this could all be an elaborate attempt at email harvesting a niche group.