I'm building a platform and looking to streamline the sign-up process to improve conversions. However, since the app requires users to verify their identity, I'm trying to avoid complex systems like photo ID that might deter potential users. I'm curious about the best practices others are using.
I've noticed that Google and Apple logins can simplify this by quickly providing names and emails, but how reliable is that information? Can I add a brief question like "What brings you here?" right after?
- Is email and password still a valid option, or has that become too much of a hassle for users?
- What strategies can be employed to minimize junk sign-ups without making the process too complicated?
I'm eager to hear about what works for you, especially if you've conducted tests and observed drop-off rates. Looking for a strategy that's effective without leading to a database full of non-responding users!
3 Answers
I’d suggest using a tiered approach. Allow users to create an account with just an email at the start. This way, they get immediate access but with limited functionality. As they engage more, you can ask for additional info step-by-step, like setting a password or verifying their email. This keeps it snappy and gives them incentives at every stage.
Email and password sign-ups are still a go, thanks to password managers making it easier than ever. Unless your audience is totally non-techy, most people are comfortable with this method.
To keep junk sign-ups at bay, you could implement various filtering tools, but remember there’s a balance. You might let a few junk users slip through just to prevent losing real sign-ups due to overly aggressive filters. In my experience, making sign-up more convenient rarely backfires unless it becomes unreliable or overly complicated, like asking for a photo ID for anything less than a banking app.
Totally agree! But honestly, I hate when I can't get a feel for the app before signing up. If you had a demo available or even a quick video showing how it works, that would really help users see the value before committing to that sign-up.
We’ve faced the same challenge when balancing a smooth sign-up process with acquiring reliable info. We typically use Google/Apple logins since they’re quick and trustworthy. After capturing the name and email, we’ve found it useful to follow up with a quick screen that asks users about their goals, plus a soft verification like a phone number later on.
We’ve moved away from email/password combos, especially for non-B2B, as they can lead to bad drop-off rates. For managing spam, we’ve implemented rate limiting and basic bot detection tools like invisible reCAPTCHA, and we save heavy ID verifications for crucial features.
Great tip! I’m going to try implementing that strategy; starting with the minimum data required for sign-up sounds perfect.