Target Outcome #1: Verified users enjoy the same ridiculously efficient, hassle-free and secure sign-up experience as everyday users, with early and clear ways to become a verified user, as well as polite and periodic reminders.
Target Outcome #2: Secure, user-controlled process throughout, with "extra mile" explanations and reminders baked in everywhere. Users who shouldn't seek verification gently weeded - and designed - out at each step.
Target Outcome #3: From the outset, verified users can easily add - and remove - from the conversation as much relevant personal, professional and participatory information as possible, receiving absolute control over their personal information and how they choose to present themselves.
Target Outcome #4: Efficient multi-user authentication, with clear administrative designations and back-end indication of individual user activity on the verified account.
Target Outcome #5: Integration with other verified user platforms as seamless as possible, and encouraged throughout. Target Outcome #6: Understanding of, and trust in, what it means to be a verified user is engendered from step one of the signup and verification process...and non-verified users don't feel like total schmoes.
Design Philosophy
No one likes the sign-up process. Particularly verified users, because for them this process often happens a few steps removed from the very information required in secure, efficient and hassle-free authentications. It's a necessary evil, especially because verified users are understood to be signing up in some professional capacity. Our signup process should be made so seamless and surprisingly smooth so that, by comparison, it makes the product stand out from day one - with both the verified user him or herself, or their employee doing all the work.
Verified user privacy, security and control - of their data, activity and each session - are paramount and persist throughout. Extra sensitivities towards privacy, security and customer support are assuaged from the outset.
Support, administrative, multi-access accountability are front and center...almost to the point of hand-holding. Instantly, in-line and clearly indicate every form field error, with multiple failures kicking in customer support.
Eliminate as many form fields as possible at every step, and explain why the additional information is required at every step, with examples if possible.
Authentication that's fast and secure but not stupidly complex. Guaranteed turn-around times.
Stands apart from every other verified user signup process, with support kicking in from the first click.
The more - and more active - verified users, with more complete profiles, the more useful Madison becomes.
Earning their trust, and their business, all starts here.
Verified User Additional Information Form Content (Required)
If the user selects the "verify me" option, they are taken first to a quick splash page or pop-out explaining what a verified user is, what it is not, and what steps must be taken to get verified, and why those steps are necessary. After clicking "got it," the user is taken to this form to fill out this additional information:
Are you a VIP (like public official), member organization, business or advocacy group? Check boxes or drop-down. If no, they're returned to the everyday user signup process.
Are you authorized by your organization/boss to be a spokesman?
Organization/VIP user you represent
Desired organization username
Your name (prefilled)
Your position in the organization/title
Your email address (prefilled)
Your LinkedIn profile (optional, but helpful for verification)
Your boss/supervisor's name
Your boss/supervisor's title
Your boss/supervisor's work email address
Your boss/supervisor's office phone number
Website URL
Physical address
Main hone number
Links to company/organization/vip social media profiles
May we follow up with your organization about supporting OpenGov's work?
Once this information is complete, the user is directed to a splash page explaining the verification steps, what to expect from OpenGov, a link to the terms of use they will have to agree to as part of the verification process, and contact information for questions or concerns. Emails containing this exact information are generated to the person who filled out the form, as well as their supervisor. After reviewing and clicking "got it," they're prompted to sign up as a non-verified user themselves and either continue into that process or taken to the main page.
Verification Process
See separate "Issues" on verification features and processes.
Miscellaneous
"Our Guarantee" made clear throughout sign-up process, and on every profile page(s)
cmbirk
commented
10 years ago
Target Outcome #1: Verified users enjoy the same ridiculously efficient, hassle-free and secure sign-up experience as everyday users, with early and clear ways to become a verified user, as well as polite and periodic reminders. Target Outcome #2: Secure, user-controlled process throughout, with "extra mile" explanations and reminders baked in everywhere. Users who shouldn't seek verification gently weeded - and designed - out at each step. Target Outcome #3: From the outset, verified users can easily add - and remove - from the conversation as much relevant personal, professional and participatory information as possible, receiving absolute control over their personal information and how they choose to present themselves. Target Outcome #4: Efficient multi-user authentication, with clear administrative designations and back-end indication of individual user activity on the verified account. Target Outcome #5: Integration with other verified user platforms as seamless as possible, and encouraged throughout.
Target Outcome #6: Understanding of, and trust in, what it means to be a verified user is engendered from step one of the signup and verification process...and non-verified users don't feel like total schmoes.
Design Philosophy
Earning their trust, and their business, all starts here.
Initial Sign-Up Form Content (Required)
Initial Sign-Up Form Content (Optional)
Verified User Additional Information Form Content (Required)
If the user selects the "verify me" option, they are taken first to a quick splash page or pop-out explaining what a verified user is, what it is not, and what steps must be taken to get verified, and why those steps are necessary. After clicking "got it," the user is taken to this form to fill out this additional information:
Once this information is complete, the user is directed to a splash page explaining the verification steps, what to expect from OpenGov, a link to the terms of use they will have to agree to as part of the verification process, and contact information for questions or concerns. Emails containing this exact information are generated to the person who filled out the form, as well as their supervisor. After reviewing and clicking "got it," they're prompted to sign up as a non-verified user themselves and either continue into that process or taken to the main page.
Verification Process
See separate "Issues" on verification features and processes.
Miscellaneous
Good Form Design Examples
Smashing Magazine Special Edition on Webform/Signup Process Design (Lots of good articles, from design 101 to eliminating/condensing fields, to validation, etc): http://www.smashingmagazine.com/web-form-design-showcases-and-solutions/
Mobile: https://www.evernote.com/shard/s129/sh/b2613e45-c7bd-460f-9ca3-0cc635bc0e69/d6ee8dfd5db88bc25166600fa3834886
Mint: http://cdns.designmodo.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Mint.com-Sign-Up.jpg
Mint Signup Form Wireframe: http://uxpin.com/uxporn-sign-up.html?seid=370964&img=2013/01/Mint.com-Sign-Up-wireframing-template.png
Github Signup (Clear PW Requirements): http://cdns.designmodo.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/GitHub-Sign-Up.jpg
Facebook (Good Design, Suggestion of NEW Password): http://cdns.designmodo.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Facebook-Sign-Up-Form-Wireframe-Template.jpg
Hunch (Encourage Social Sign-Ins): http://cdns.designmodo.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Hunch-Sign-Up.jpg
Tumblr (Great Initial Call to Action in Signup Process): http://cdns.designmodo.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Tumblr-Sign-Up-Form-Wireframe-Template.jpg
Gumroad (Like Tumblr, Gets User "Doing" Wicked Fast): http://discover.usabilla.com/discovery/4f4ca7160a18e7004a000018
Lovely (Keeps Telling User Benefits of Signup All the Way to the End): http://discover.usabilla.com/discovery/4f4ca6fadbe603374d00002a
Mashape (Special Challenges/Requirements for Different Users...In This Case, Developers): http://discover.usabilla.com/discovery/4f4fa0930a18e71d50000080
Verified User Signup Process Overview