Enhancing User Experience For Subscription Sign-Ups

When I was head of growth, our team reached 40% activation rates, and onboarded hundreds of thousands of new users. Without knowing it, we discovered a framework. Here are the 6 steps we followed. 1. Define value: Successful onboarding is typically judged by new user activation rates. But what is activation? The moment users receive value. Reaching it should lead to higher retention & conversion to paid plans. First define it. Then get new users there. 2. Deliver value, quickly Revisit your flow and make sure it gets users to the activation moment fast. Remove unnecessary steps, complexity, and distractions along the way. Not sure how to start? Try reducing time (or steps) to activate by 50%. 3. Motivate users to action: Don't settle for simple. Look for sticking points in the user experience you can solve with microcopy, empty states, tours, email flows, etc. Then remind users what to do next with on-demand checklists, progress bars, & milestone celebrations. 4. Customize the experience: Ditch the one-size fits all approach. Learn about your different use cases. Then, create different product "recipes" to help users achieve their specific goals. 5. Start in the middle: Solve for the biggest user pain points stopping users from starting. Lean on customizable templates and pre-made playbooks to help people go 0-1 faster. 6. Build momentum pre-signup: Create ways for website visitors to start interacting with the product - and building momentum, before they fill out any forms. This means that you'll deliver value sooner, and to more people. Keep it simple. Learn what's valuable to users. Then deliver value on their terms.

A subtle UX pattern that lifted our signup conversion rate by 23%... Here's what we discovered about human psychology and product design: We tested blurring our product interface behind the signup modal instead of using a plain background. The results were fascinating. Why did it work? Loss aversion - humans are wired to avoid losing things more than gaining them. When users see a blurred but tangible product experience, their brain processes it as something they already "have" but might lose. It's like walking past a store window - the moment the glass fogs up, you suddenly want to know what's inside even more. But there's nuance to getting this right: The key is balanced opacity. Too blurred = frustration. Too clear = no mystery. You want just enough detail to spark curiosity without feeling manipulative. Some principles we learned: • Show enough UI to establish credibility • Blur gradually to maintain intrigue • Keep key value props visible and clear • Test different blur intensities with your audience Warning: This isn't right for every product. If your value prop needs detailed explanation upfront, maintaining clarity should be the priority. Always A/B test how this impacts not just signups, but activation and retention too. A signup boost means nothing if it brings in the wrong users. What clever psychological principles have you seen work in product design? Share your experiences below 👇

Emitly UI design Sign up screen ⬇️ When we talk about user experiences that leave a mark, we often think of the “big moments”—exciting features, flashy animations, powerful interactions. But let’s take a moment to look at the sign-in/sign-up process—the unsung hero that’s often a user’s very first touchpoint. How we design this “entryway” can set the tone for everything that follows, even influencing a user’s decision to stick around. Here’s why I believe we need to put as much heart into this part as any other, and a few ways to do it right: ◽Prioritize Simplicity: First impressions count, and no one wants to spend too long setting up. Keep the process short and simple. Only ask for essentials, making every field feel necessary and justified. For Emitly, I trimmed the flow to just the core elements, aiming for a seamless and friendly start. ◽Offer Multiple Sign-in Options: Different users, different preferences! For instance, some are more comfortable using social accounts, while others lean towards email or phone numbers. I incorporated multiple options for Emitly, so users can pick what feels right for them. It’s a small thing that makes a big difference in the welcoming experience. ◽Communicate Trust:Users are trusting us with their information, and that’s a big deal. Reassuring them through familiar icons, a clean design, and hints of secure data handling goes a long way. For Emitly, every design choice, from icons to colors, was about reinforcing that sense of safety and reliability. ◽Optimize for Speed: There’s little as frustrating as lag in the sign-up flow. Make sure that each action is responsive and that any loading time feels almost invisible. With Emitly, I focused on speed and clarity—no unnecessary loading, no awkward waits. ◽Onboarding, Not Just Signing Up: Once users sign in, don’t just leave them there. Offer a brief tour or subtle prompts, guiding them to what matters most in your app. For Emitly, the aim was to make users feel they’re instantly in the right place, discovering features without feeling overwhelmed. A smooth, engaging sign-in/sign-up experience isn’t just about getting users in the door; it’s about showing them you value their time and privacy. When done right, it sets the tone, builds trust, and creates that all-important first sense of connection. So, next time you design, give this step the love it deserves. #userinterface #userexperiencedesign #userinterfacedesign #uiux #usercentricdesign #figma #uidesign #uxdesign

No user ever thought: “Ah, what a beautiful onboarding.” They’re thinking: → “Can I skip this?” → “Where’s the thing I need?” → “Wait, why are they asking for my birthday?” And honestly - you should be thinking the same. Because each of these questions reveals friction you can design around. So let’s break them down. So we won't see them again. 👇👇👇👇 💭 “𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗜 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀?” Translation: This step doesn’t feel useful. I don’t trust yet that it’s worth my time. What to do about it: 1. Show users the finish line early 2. Explain why you’re asking for information 3. Collapse or delay steps (lazy onboarding) 4. Add a “Skip for now” option 5. Use progress indicators or reassurance (“This takes 30 seconds”) 💭 “𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱?” Translation: I came here with a goal. You’re getting in my way. What to do about it: 1. Let users explore before signing up (or show a preview) 2. Reduce gating - only ask what you need to unlock value now 3. Start with their goals - if they feel seen, they’ll trust the process more 💭 “𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗱𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝗯𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗱𝗮𝘆?” Translation: This feels invasive, irrelevant, or out of place. What to do about it: 1. Justify every field (“We use this to personalize your experience”) 2. Don’t ask for sensitive data too early - earn trust first Repeat these questions at every step of your onboarding flow - so your users don’t have to. (And so they don’t drop out halfway through 🙃) #product #productmanagement #ux #uxdesign #signupform #onboarding