Research Participant Sign-up Webpage

I addressed persistently low sign-up rates on Volition's research recruiting page by conducting usability tests with new users and identifying issues with information architecture, accessibility, and copy. Changes based on these insights led to a 200% increase in sign-up rates within a week. This dramatic improvement enhanced user experience and better aligned our recruitment efforts with the organization's commitment to equity and accessibility.

After updating our recruitment materials to better align with ethical APA standards, I noticed a trend of persistently low sign-up rates. This situation suggested a potential misalignment between our recruitment page's design and our organizational commitment to equity and accessibility.

My main objective was to tackle and eliminate the barriers preventing effective sign-up on Volition's research recruiting page. The plan was to conduct usability tests with participants who had no prior exposure to our site, allowing us to capture fresh, unbiased insights into user experience challenges.

1. Organized Usability Tests: I set up a set of usability tests involving 10 prospective users who were completely new to our site. The goal was to identify any interface elements that were not intuitive to our target audience.
2. Analyzed User Interactions: During the tests, I carefully observed how participants navigated our recruiting page, paying close attention to their interactions and feedback.
3. Identified Key Issues: The usability tests revealed critical issues that hindered user sign-up, including confusing information architecture, poor visibility, banner blindness, and unclear copy.
4. Communicated Findings: I compiled a detailed report, complete with screenshots of problem areas and my suggestions for improvements. This report was then shared with our webmaster for implementation.

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The analysis pinpointed several significant barriers to user sign-up. Notably, users struggled with navigating the page due to its complex information architecture and were often oblivious to key calls to action, likely due to banner blindness. Additionally, the copy on the recruiting page lacked the clarity needed to effectively communicate with prospective users.

• Enhanced Sign-Up Rates: Following the implementation of the recommended changes, we witnessed an impressive 200% increase in sign-up rates within just one week. This surge not only validated the effectiveness of the usability improvements but also brought our recruiting efforts into closer alignment with Volition's core values.
• Improved User Experience: The redesign of the recruiting page addressed and resolved the identified usability issues, creating a more intuitive and accessible user experience. This transformation demonstrated our organization's commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, ensuring that our digital presence reflects our values.