We’ve all used login screens, but they’re not all created equal. There are some that are a breeze and even a pleasure to use. Others are kind of like trying to blow up the Death Star without any flying skills.
When we want someone to log in on a website, we have to make it easy for them to do. Improving UX at website login isn’t complicated, but sometimes we overthink things or the client demands it a certain way.
Luckily, all it takes is a few tweaks to turn a terrible experience into a great one. After all, making it better means more users wanting to sign up and log in.
Location Is Everything
This one should be obvious, but make it easy to find the login link or button. When users have to search for a place to log in, they’ll just leave. A noticeable login link/button at the top of the page and even another link at the bottom are great ways to improve UX at website login.
Think of the login as a call-to-action – it’s only useful if we tell them exactly what to do and where to do it. Basically, make it impossible for visitors to miss.
Skip The Puzzles
Who among us actually likes solving puzzles, clicking on page after page of annoying images, trying to enter mangled text that no one can read or any other type Captchas and ReCaptchas? Exactly. Nobody. These are horrible. While we all know the intent behind them is good, overall, they just create the worst user experience ever. It’s hard enough just to remember a password. Now, we have to jump through hoops just to click the Log In button?
Google’s actually doing most these human or robot checks in the background now to avoid this hassle. It’s a great way to improve the login experience. Whatever we do, we should always avoid these because we all hate them and there should be a better way.
Keep Logins And Registration Separate
How many websites do we try to log in on only to end up on the registration page instead? So many websites fail with UX at website login because they’re over-eager to get new people to sign up. For instance, take a look at Pinterest. Despite its popularity, we’re presented with a large registration form. It takes us a second to even notice the relatively small Log In button to the right.
Evernote is the same way, except it’s even more misleading. By having the registration form say “Email” and “Password,” it seems like a login screen. Too bad that users don’t realize that until after they get an error message.
Use Emails Instead Of Usernames
Which are we more likely to remember – our email address or our username? Unless we use the exact same username everywhere, we’re probably going to remember our email address easier. A simple, yet highly effective way of improving UX at website login is to skip the username requirement completely and just ask for the email address.
It’s one less thing to make visitors try and remember. After all, passwords are already difficult enough to remember, especially when we all have dozens.
Make It Easy To Get A New Password
Speaking of passwords, how many times have we forgotten a password? We’ve all done it at least once, but probably many more times. This shouldn’t mean it’s impossible for a user to ever get back into their account. Instead, make the login screen more user-friendly by having a noticeable link to request a new password.
Obviously, the password should only be sent to the email address provided (if it’s linked to an account) or if the user solves a challenge question. However, it’s a great way to improve the UX and prove the site’s designed with humans in mind.
Improving UX at website login doesn’t have to be hard. Think of what we all struggle with and make sure the login page solves or avoids those problems. Suddenly, it’s easy to log in and visitors can’t help coming back for more.
Images: Proxyclick Visitor Management System, Hans-Peter Gauster, nikko macaspac