# What did AllTrails learn from testing a boring sign-up screen?

Author: Ali Abouelatta
Source date: 2024-08-02
Tags: signup, onboarding, conversion, video
HTML: https://lazyweb.com/research/alltrails-boring-sign-up-screen
Markdown: https://lazyweb.com/research/alltrails-boring-sign-up-screen.md

## Primary visual

Local image URL: https://lazyweb.com/research-assets/boring-sign-up-screens/03-alltrails-signup-experiment.jpg
Original image URL: https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/757e03c0-6551-4d54-8c44-0cfec605f13c_6903x3996.png
Alt text: AllTrails signup screen experiment comparing a hiking video control against a plain experiment.
Image description: AllTrails tested a hiking-trail background-video signup screen against a simpler dark signup screen with stacked auth options; the visual says the simple version won.

Short answer: AllTrails' simpler signup screen beat a version with a scenic hiking-trail background video. The winning screen kept the brand mark, direct signup/login language, social login buttons, and email continuation without letting the outdoor imagery compete with the auth choices.

## Evidence

The AllTrails comparison shows a video-backed control next to a plain, darker experiment with the same core signup/login job made more legible.

## What changed

- Control: a scenic hiking background under multiple auth choices.
- Experiment: a dark, static screen with the logo, clear auth methods, and email continuation.
- The experiment moved the screen from scenic brand expression to direct account access.

## Why it matters

- Category-relevant imagery can still reduce signup focus.
- Auth screens need legibility and choice clarity more than atmosphere.

## Sources

- [1] Lazyweb Research: AllTrails signup-screen experiment. The AllTrails example shows a simple signup screen winning against a background video showcasing hiking trails. [Source](https://read.first1000.co/p/use-boring-sign-up-screens)