Adding a credit card type dropdown seems unnecessary. There are standard number patterns for each card provider, and making users select one is silly since cc gateways don't typically ask (they use the number patterns). I'd like to know if something about adding that step actually helped conversion or had no affect at all.
I think it helps the user feel confident in the form's accuracy.
In some cases, abstracting or automating away information from the user can make them confused or increase distrust in the form. There's something to be said for making things 100% clear and upfront to the user.
This is something you'd test, it's not something I'd say with confidence would increase or decrease conversion rates; but I definitely understand the hypothesis behind it.
I'm going to guess that you got downvoted as people felt your comment didn't add anything to the discussion, which is the prescribed use for downvotes. The article already explained the rational for adding it and that it wasn't actually used. It's likely clear to you why your response was also downvoted.
I got downvoted -12 a few weeks ago for saying that an article mentioning John Regehr was the professor from the University of Utah that I respected. What the fuck is that? This website is overrun with nerds with small egos.
You said "I saw Regehr and knew it had to be the U prof."
How did you expect people to respond to that comment? The comment adds nothing to understanding of the article. The comment adds nothing to understanding of the author of the article.
