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Usability Tip: Improving your site's registration process.

Article by Toby Biddle - January 13, 2007

We frequently analyse the registration processes on our clients' websites and too often discover that completion rates are disappointingly low. Here are a few things to consider if you have customers registering for anything on your website...

Do you need them to register at all?

Website users are generally reluctant to register on a website unless they feel some value will come from it. We have seen many sites that ask users to register before they can make purchases or before they are able to receive or view specific information. The first thing to ask is whether registration is even required? Registering can be extremely off putting to users and they will often abandon and go else where if they are required to register.

Explain the benefits of registering.

You need to encourage users to join or register. Without explaining the benefits up front users are likely to be unsure what they will be getting. Some users may not be sure why they should register, others may think that they must pay, and then there is the fear of being spammed by junk mail. If users do not understand the benefits they are less likely to register. They need to be aware that they will receive value out of registering; getting something back for providing their information.

Keep the form short and simple.

The shorter the registration form the quicker and easier it is to complete, and the more likely users will fill it in. Ensure that you only ask for information that is necessary. If you start asking too many personal questions such as age or income users will quickly abandon the process. Thoroughly review the questions asked. Do you really need the user's whole street address or is the postcode sufficient?

Following the above guidelines will help increase registration conversion rates.

About the author
Toby Biddle is the director of Australia's leading usability consultancy, UsabilityOne.

For more information visit www.UsabilityOne.com

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