Signup Before Preview

Users criticize products that require immediate signup without a demo, preview, or trial access, suggesting guest modes or more upfront information to reduce friction and improve engagement.

📉 Falling 0.4x Startups & Business
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#7359
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Activity Over Time

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Keywords

FF OP OKL BETTER CTA i.e IE sign signup email users feedback page account create account let signing

Sample Comments

sant0sk1 Apr 23, 2008 View on HN

Let possible users get a taste of using it before requiring registration. As is, I would never sign up.

liadmat Feb 1, 2016 View on HN

You should really put some sort of preview before you ask users to sign up.

nfm Jul 12, 2011 View on HN

Feedback noted!We've made the signup process as easy as possible (name, email and password only, no email confirmation) but it's definitely more of a barrier to entry than we'd like. We're keen to make a product video soon, and maybe pre-populate new accounts with some sample data too.

geuis Oct 10, 2022 View on HN

The signup bit that appears right after clicking a product is a turn off. I have no idea what this product is supposed to look like. I'm not going to sign up to some random site just hoping to see more. Provide more details before asking for visitors to create accounts.

iSloth Mar 25, 2021 View on HN

Asking for signup first made me instant click away - You might want to think is that really needed...

tomasphan Jul 20, 2025 View on HN

"Please make it easy for users to try your thing out, ideally without barriers such as signups or emails." This has a sign up before using sadly.

Hugsun Apr 29, 2024 View on HN

I'm greeted with a login form. I don't proceed. If you're the author, consider a landing page explaining why I should want to use this.I suspect many people will be put off by having to sign up to see what this is. I was.

chrisballinger Oct 8, 2011 View on HN

You might want to present a little more content before asking people to sign up.

simonebrunozzi Oct 29, 2023 View on HN

Suggestion: let people try it without signing up.

jensenbox Mar 29, 2017 View on HN

I find myself asking questions that could easily be answered with a demo or some sort of try before signup.The idea of everything I click on going to the signup page really is a huge turn off and personally I consider it to be a poor user first experience.You should add some sort of something that allows me to see what you are about before making me sign up. I don't even know what I get if I sign up.Otherwise, I am sure you have done a great job.