User Experience for Event Registration

Inclusive form design isn’t a luxury, it's a civil right. Most registration processes are forms based. Without accessible forms, people who use assistive technology can't get through the door. When we talk about submit buttons, the choice to make them active all the time isn’t about “just making things easier” — it’s about removing real accessibility barriers. An active submit button means users who rely on screen readers or keyboard navigation can always finish what they started. But most designers/UX folks talk about submit vs in-line field validation as an "or." I propose we look at them as an "and." Just like the little girl in the meme says, "why not both?" If you have an active submit button and ALSO add in-line validation, which flags issues as they arise, you are creating an experience that sets the standard for a best practice. You aren't just following the guidelines to achieve compliance, you are making sure that people with disabilities have the best chance of becoming customers as anyone else. Real-time feedback reduces stress for those who may struggle to go back and forth in a form, helping everyone complete it without hassle. Active submit combined with user-friendly error message means users don't get stuck looking through a long form trying to figure out which required field they missed. Companies like #Amazon have it right — they combine both. When we prioritize both an always-active button and in-line validation, we’re making digital spaces accessible, user-centered, and, most importantly, equitable. Alt: first image is a female child seated in an office with the caption: "Submit Button always active" on the left side and "in-line field validation" on the right side. Beneath it is a question: "why don't we have both? " second image shows group of persons lifting the female child up in celebration. #AccessibilityMemeMonday #InclusiveDesign #AccessibleForms #DigitalEquity #Disability #Inclusion #UserCenteredAccessibility https://lnkd.in/ecX_YG93

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.

Want an effective, low-cost way to make your events more accessible? Try offering an Accessibility Pre-Event Checklist! 🌟 This checklist gives all attendees a heads-up on essential accessibility details, helping everyone feel welcome and prepared. Think: ✅ Accessible transportation options and venue entrances ✅ Steps for requesting accommodations ✅ Available assistive technologies (like captioning or ALDs) ✅ Information on accessible restrooms, quiet zones, and emergency procedures An accessibility checklist helps attendees feel confident they’ll have the support they need, reducing anxiety about navigating a new space or arranging accommodations. Plus, a pre-event checklist shows your commitment to inclusion right from the start. ___________________ Here's a streamlined sample of an Accessibility Pre-Event Checklist: "Welcome! To make your experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible, we’ve put together a checklist to help you prepare and get the most out of Salesforce events. Here’s what to know: #Before You Arrive □ Accommodation Requests: If you need specific accommodations (e.g., ASL interpretation, reserved seating, mobility support), please contact our Accessibility Team at least two weeks in advance. □ Public transit routes and shuttle services with accessible features will be available on our event website. #Venue Accessibility □ Accessible Entrances: All main entrances, restrooms, and levels are accessible by wheelchair. □ Quiet Zones & Sensory Rooms: Designated quiet zones and sensory-friendly rooms are available for anyone needing a calm space. These areas are equipped with comfortable seating, low lighting, and noise reduction. #Event Technology □ Live Captions & Transcripts: AI-generated captions and real-time captions will be provided in all main sessions. Transcripts will be available in the event app. □ Event App Accessibility: Our event app is screen-reader compatible, and provides real-time updates for easier navigation. #During the Event □ Session Accessibility: Accessible seating, reserved spots for those with mobility devices, and ASL interpreters are available at key sessions. Check the app or schedule for more information. □ Meal & Break Options: Dietary accommodations are available at all meals. Attendees with food allergies or specific dietary needs can contact our team or visit the Disability Help Desk for more information." #AccessibleEvents #InclusionMatters #EventPlanning #DisabilityInclusion #Trailblazer

How Do We Ensure Every Participant's Journey Starts on the Right Note? 🎶 We often focus on the main event experience, but how many of us have paused to consider the very first touchpoint - the registration process? A truly inclusive event starts the moment someone considers attending. Here are a few strategies to ensure our registration processes pave the way for comprehensive inclusivity: 1. Accessible Platforms: Ensure your registration website/platform is ADA compliant and mobile-friendly, catering to diverse digital proficiencies. 2. Diverse Imagery: Use graphics and visuals that reflect a myriad of ethnicities, abilities, genders, and ages, signaling a welcoming environment for everyone. 3. Clear Communication: Offer language options or, at the very least, ensure clarity in your information. Avoid jargon. 4. Payment Flexibility: Consider various payment methods, possible installments, or even sponsorship options for those needing financial assistance. 5. Inclusive Accommodations Check: No, not sleeping rooms, but incorporate an option where attendees can specify any special requirements or accommodations they might need, be it related to physical accessibility, dietary needs, visual, hearing, or otherwise. The way we welcome our participants sets the tone for the entire event. Let's ensure we're rolling out the red carpet for everyone, right from the start! ✨ How do you prioritize inclusivity during your event registration? Share your strategies or experiences below, and let's pave the way for even more inclusive beginnings! #FirstImpressionsMatter #InclusiveEventRegistration 🌟🤝

You only have one shot, one opportunity. Will you capture them? Or let them slip? First impressions matter. Make them count. Your sign-up form is often the first interaction users have with your product.  Get it wrong, and you might lose them forever. Avoid these three common mistakes: 1️⃣ Asking for personal data first: 👉 Focus on the user’s goals first. Show the value of your product, and they’ll feel more comfortable sharing personal data later. 2️⃣ Overloading with too many questions: 👉 Spread out questions. Use loading times wisely, and only ask what’s relevant at the right moments. This lowers churn and keeps users engaged. 3️⃣ Missing an opportunity to build engagement: 👉 Include a small task in the sign-up process. This helps users build familiarity with your product and creates a sense of ownership. 💡 What sign-up form mistakes have you seen recently? Let’s discuss this below! #product #productmanagment #userflow #usercentric #UX #CX

Most companies spend months perfecting their product UI, then throw together onboarding in a weekend. This is backwards. Your onboarding IS your product's first impression. It's where users decide if they trust you enough to change their workflow. Our initial onboarding was basically "here's the docs, figure it out." But now we redesigned onboarding like a product feature: - User research on where people got stuck - Built interactive tutorials that actually work with real data - Added progress indicators and clear next steps - Made it feel as polished as our core platform The result? 3x improvement in day-7 retention. Your onboarding experience should have the same design rigor as your core product. Because if users don't make it through onboarding, they'll never see how great your actual product is. What's one thing you wish every product explained better during onboarding?

Talk about idea validation! Yesterday, I attended a talk by Katy Raines where she and a colleague *proved* the need for a platform like Eventably. During their presentation, they discussed some research they had done on accessibility and events. 1. Accessibility Isn’t Niche – It’s Mainstream 56% of respondents identified as disabled or having a long-term health condition. Over 25% of non-disabled visitors still use access features like step-free access, captions, or quiet spaces. Takeaway: Accessibility features aren't just for a minority—they benefit a majority of attendees and improve experiences for all. 2. Clear, Accessible Information = Higher Attendance 75% of disabled people always research accessibility before attending an event. But 71% struggle to find key information—especially on websites. The Eventably platform makes accessibility info easy to find and built-in, reducing barriers to participation. We provide the ability for event organizers and venues to disclose accessibility information in ways that no_other_platform_does. 3. Poor Booking Experiences Drive People Away Disabled visitors are 9x more likely to struggle with online booking. 91% of disabled users cannot fully communicate their access needs during the booking process. Eventably is built with accessibility as a first class concern, not an afterthought like current platforms which, at best, play lip service to accessibility. 4. Confidence Drives Attendance — and Accessibility Builds Confidence 39% of disabled visitors lack confidence their needs will be met, and 38% have missed events due to this uncertainty. Confidence is especially low among younger audiences under 35, who represent the future of event participation. Eventably can enable organizers to add virtual tours, venue photos, and customizable access notes to build attendee confidence pre-event. 5. Accessible Venues See Higher Participation The biggest reported barriers to attendance: Unavailable accessible seating (52%) Transport or physical access issues (39%) Lack of confidence needs will be met (38%) Events that actively remove these barriers can unlock untapped market segments. 6. Tech Can Be a Great Equalizer — If Done Right Disabled visitors use mobile ordering (33%) and QR codes (41%) more than non-disabled visitors. But 24% still face barriers due to poor tech design or lack of support. Eventably’s mission: Provide accessible, inclusive tech that empowers independence, speed, and choice, especially in crowd-heavy environments. 7. Inclusion ≠ One-Size-Fits-All People seek different accommodations: captions, relaxed performances, visual stories, sunflower lanyards, priority passes, etc. Eventably can help organizers customize offerings, letting attendees opt into the access features that match their needs. https://lnkd.in/epUhyatj

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

I analyzed multiple webinar emails in this series, and noticed a pattern. Marketers keep making the same 3 mistakes: 1. Too many steps to register – forcing users onto a landing page instead of making sign-up seamless. 2. No engagement before the event – missing opportunities to collect questions or personalize the experience. 3. Readability issues – small fonts, long text blocks, and weak contrast making key details hard to scan. ✨ The Fix ✨ - Let people register in one click (or add the event directly to their calendar). - Make the email interactive—let subscribers submit a question or select topics they’re interested in. - Prioritize clarity—bigger fonts, strong contrast, and a layout optimized for mobile. My final takeaway from 7 days of B2B email inspiration? The best emails aren’t just clear—they’re effortless to act on. ----- This is (finally!) Day 7 of this series where I analyzed emails from my Promotions tab based on emotional elements of value. Hit follow to see what's next! ps.: If you'd like me to analyze one of your emails, DM me! #emailmarketing #eventmarketing #marketing

Now why do y’all keep putting QR codes… on a digital post? 🙃 I’ve seen it five times this week alone. And some instances from professional orgs. So you essentially want people to grab a second phone to scan the QR code on the screen they're already looking at? Or scan the code on their PC with their phone? Make it make sense. Now, this might seem like a small thing, but it’s not. It’s a symptom of a much bigger issue in food and nutrition: We’ve got a tech problem. And not just with tools, but with mindset. We: • Make event sign-ups more complicated than necessary • Bury key info in PDFs or clunky newsletters • Forget to optimize for mobile (in 2025!) • Treat UX (a.k.a. the user experience, or what people see and interact with) like an afterthought — when it's literally part of health communication Meanwhile… we’re trained in behavior change. We know friction stops people from taking action. We know accessibility matters. We know habits are shaped by ease. So why are we designing so much of our work like it’s a scavenger hunt? If we want people to register, learn, engage, show up, or care — we have to remove the friction. That means: • Put links where they belong • Reduce the amount of clicks to get to the goal • Think like end users (if you're frustrated by the experience, so are they) • Let go of the idea that tech = impersonal (it doesn’t) Use the tools. Use them well. And if you don't know how to get around the aforementioned QR code issue... ManyChat is your best friend 😊