5. App Design Principles Part 2: Forms and Registrations

App Design Principles: Part 2 (Forms and Registrations)

Registrations help you connect with your users, speed up conversion opportunities in the future, and improve relationship that is always moving forward.

But, sometimes, registration can often become a hassle – a hindrance to conversion.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to build a registration process that’ll get your users where they want to be, faster.

BTW, did you check out our previous article: App Design Principles Part 1 (App Navigation & App Search)?

If you haven’t, we highly recommend that you go back and learn 8 more key principles that will help you build engaging and pleasant apps that’ll boost your conversions.

I) App Design Principles: Registrations

1. Provide value to users before asking them to register

People will simply stop using your app if it asks them to give their personal information right away … unless there’s some kind of payoff (ordering a car service or a food delivery),

This often happens with apps that aren’t popular, or whose value proposition is not clear.

At the start of the experience, there’s a huge hurdle that must be cleared before people feel comfortable to register through your app.

So, ask your audience to register … only if it absolutely necessary.

The best way to apply this principle: offer guest checkout at the point of conversion.

Image Credit: Think With Google

2. Distinguish between “sign in” and a “sign up”

Often people who want to “sign up” end up taking the wrong action by hitting the “sign in” button, which then prompts them to enter a password.

This happens usually because app users have a habit of scanning screen quickly, and as soon as they see the first call-to-action, they assume it’s the correct one, and hence, they make the mistake.

To get your users where they want to go faster, distinguish the design of the “sign in” and “sign up” buttons by using different background colors for buttons.

3. Make password reset function a hassle free experience

App users often get frustrated when they have to go through a difficult and multiple steps to set or reset their password.

To minimize users abandoning your app, it’s a good idea to simplify the authentication process.

For example, minimize the steps needed to set or reset the password, or use a completely different authentication method like fingerprint touch login or third-party login.

Image Credit: Think With Google

II) App Design Principles: Forms

Forms are displayed to app users, at the most important moments.

Make your forms less frustrating, and easy and quick to complete by using these tried-and-proven principles:

1. Build user-friendly forms

Forms must be well-matched to how users enter information.

Rather than forcing users to adapt to your app’s limitations, design screens that can interpret multiple input formats.

Next, remove any obstruction from view. For example, if the form fields are obstructed by a keyboard, remove it.

Finally, as the user continues to fill up form fields, include features such as auto-capitalization, auto-populate, and credit card scanning, that’ll automatically advance each field up the screen.

Image Credit: Think With Google

2. Provide real-time error information

Nobody likes to fill out a form and know at the end that they’ve made an error.

To reduce this pain point, communicate form errors in real time.

For example, when an area of a form is successfully validated or completed, let the user know about it.

Then, test your forms to ensure the entire experience is smooth and flowing.

Image Credit: Think With Google

3. Provide an appropriate keyword for text entry

Users love apps that provide a suitable keyboard for text entry.

Just make sure this keyboard is implemented consistently throughout the app, instead of only using it for particular tasks.

Image Credit: Think With Google

4. Provide in-context and relevant information in forms

To help users move through the form fill up process easily, use in-context and relevant information.

For example, when user has to choose a particular date for an event, offer them a monthly calendar to figure out the days of the week quickly and prevent them from leaving your app to check the calendar separately.

Also this way, you won’t risk a user getting distracted by another task.

Image Credit: Think With Google

Related article: App Design Principles: Part 1 (App Navigation and App Search)