8 reasons users aren’t filling out your sign up form
uxmovement.com
Very much a sore point for a number of internet users are some of the issues highlighted within this blog post linked above. It’s an interesting read. You are more than likely to have been consumed by the thought of one of these problems, that deter a lot of us from signing up for something new at one point or another. Mainly because with it, comes a whole set of uncertainties. Will I start to receive embarrassing junk mail? What if the company decide not to receive my cancellation request and go on to charge me? Why on earth does this service require my home address and phone number? Just a few of the questions running through users minds. This post will single out some of the points originally made to help you make better web design decisions.
Be transparent with what you will use email addresses for
A big issue is that of spamming, especially if a user gives an email address which is vital as you receive a lot of important mail there. By being up front and letting them know exactly what you will use their email for, you encourage users to sign up to the service.
Long winded forms are sometimes more effort than they are worth – don’t bamboozle anyone
A lot of us will have been prepared to join a website only to be confronted with a form which almost seems to require you to give your life story. For this reason, users should only have to fill out the most applicable information.
Ensure users you won’t post on their social media sites
This also comes into play when a website uses Facebook and Twitter capabilities. It’s always a worry that friends will be spammed, and this is often why users will turn down the opportunity of connecting that particular account with their Facebook/Twitter page. Similarly to the last point it can be combated by being up front and informing users that their profile will never be updated on their behalf.
Are credit card details entirely necessary for a free trial?
Whilst businesses would argue that some of these unwanted inclusions are necessary, it doesn’t have to be this way. By making someone give their credit card details before beginning a free trial fills many people with a pang of doubt. If this is free, why must I give my card details? Trust, a lot of the time needs to be earned and services are potentially missing out on a wealth of future consumers this way. By giving users a free trial without asking for credit card details, it is likely to encourage a better relationship.
Although no direct statistics or research comes into play with this article, I feel that everyone will relate to a number of these points and it is also useful for those who currently run a website with similar forms.
Whilst businesses would argue that some of these unwanted inclusions are necessary, I would beg to differ. Ultimately, there are a number of reasons as to why users are deterred to sign up. With the number of security issues in the present day, this is no real surprise and websites should be more accommodating to their potential users.
Author Oliver Adams
Toxic Creative – RESULT DRIVEN DESIGN & MARKETING
We’re based in Northampton and are experts in all aspects of graphic design, website design and marketing, from dynamic websites and printed literature to logo design and brand development … we do it all.
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