Increase registrations by leading with a question

Capitol AI Capitol AI signup

Overview

Capitol AI prompts users to ask a question on the homepage. Once they type a question and attempt to get an answer, a prompt to register appears, leveraging loss aversion to motivate users to sign up in order to see the response they now want.
a screenshot of the signup flow explaining how to Increase registrations by leading with a question
a screenshot of the signup flow explaining how to Increase registrations by leading with a question

Business Outcome

Registration Conversion Rate
Increase the percentage of website visitors who register for an account.

Behavioral Outcome

Curiosity and Anticipated Regret
Pique users' curiosity by prompting them to ask a question, then leverage the anticipated regret of not seeing the answer to drive registrations.

The Behavioral Science

Loss Aversion
Loss aversion suggests that people are more motivated to avoid losses than to acquire equivalent gains. By first prompting users to ask a question and then requiring registration to see the answer, Capitol AI creates a sense of potential loss if the user doesn't follow through and sign up.

Curiosity Gap
The curiosity gap refers to the mental discomfort people feel when there is a gap between what they know and what they want to know. By encouraging users to ask a question, Capitol AI opens a curiosity gap that can only be closed by registering to see the answer.

How It Works

Capitol AI's homepage prominently features a prompt encouraging users to ask a question they are curious about. This taps into people's natural curiosity and desire for knowledge.

Once a user types in a question and attempts to get an answer, a registration prompt appears. At this point, loss aversion kicks in. The user has already invested time and effort into asking a question and now anticipates an answer. The thought of not getting that answer feels like a loss, motivating the user to register in order to avoid that negative outcome.

By opening a curiosity gap and then leveraging loss aversion, Capitol AI creates a powerful motivator for users to register for an account.

How It Might Backfire

Frustration with Forced Registration
Some users may feel frustrated or manipulated by being prompted to ask a question only to then be required to register to see the answer. If not handled carefully, this could create a negative user experience and harm brand perception.

Unmet Expectations
If the answers provided after registration don't live up to the curiosity and anticipation created by the initial question prompt, users may feel misled and be less likely to engage with the platform in the future.

How To Test

How to Test:

To test the effectiveness of this tactic, run an A/B test comparing the registration conversion rate of the homepage with the question prompt and registration wall against a version without these elements.

You can also conduct user surveys or interviews to gather qualitative feedback on how users perceive the question prompt and registration experience, and whether it motivates them to sign up or creates any frustration.

Frequently Asked Questions

To enhance a product-led growth (PLG) model using Capitol AI's signup tactic, implement a question-based engagement strategy on your product's landing page or initial user interface.

Prompt users to ask a question related to your product's core value proposition. This approach leverages curiosity to drive engagement and creates an opportunity to showcase your product's capabilities. When users attempt to view the answer, present a registration prompt, emphasizing the value they'll gain by signing up. This method can increase user activation rates and accelerate time-to-value, key metrics in PLG models. By combining curiosity with loss aversion, you can create a compelling reason for users to register and experience your product's full potential.

To improve conversion rates using Capitol AI's signup tactic, implement a question-based engagement strategy on your website or landing pages.

Encourage visitors to ask a question related to your product or service, creating immediate engagement and investment. When they attempt to view the answer, present a registration prompt that leverages loss aversion. Highlight the value of the answer and additional benefits of signing up. This approach can significantly increase registration conversion rates by tapping into users' curiosity and desire to avoid missing out on valuable information. A/B test different question prompts and registration messaging to optimize the effectiveness of this tactic for your specific audience and offering.

To optimize your website using Capitol AI's signup tactic, incorporate a prominent question prompt on key pages, particularly the homepage or product pages.

Encourage visitors to ask questions relevant to your offerings, creating immediate engagement and demonstrating the value of your product or service. When users attempt to view the answer, present a strategically designed registration prompt. This approach can increase user engagement, time on site, and ultimately, conversion rates. Ensure the registration process is streamlined and emphasizes the benefits of signing up. Additionally, use the questions asked by users as valuable insights for content creation and product development, further optimizing your website and offerings based on user interests and needs.

To A/B test Capitol AI's signup tactic, create two versions of your landing page or user interface: one with the question-based signup approach (version A) and one with a traditional signup process (version B).

In version A, implement the question prompt followed by a registration wall to view the answer. In version B, use your current signup process without the question prompt. Randomly assign visitors to each version and measure key metrics such as engagement rate, signup conversion rate, and time-to-registration. Additionally, track long-term metrics like user retention and product engagement to assess the quality of users acquired through each method. Complement this quantitative data with qualitative feedback through user surveys to understand the perceived value and user experience of each approach. Analyze the results to determine which version leads to better outcomes for your specific product and target audience.

Capitol AI's signup tactic improves user experience by creating an engaging and personalized onboarding process.

By prompting users to ask a question, the tactic taps into their natural curiosity and creates immediate engagement with the product. This approach makes the signup process feel more interactive and tailored to the user's specific interests or needs. The subsequent registration prompt, while potentially creating some friction, can actually enhance the perceived value of the product by suggesting exclusive or high-quality information. This can lead to more committed and satisfied users who feel they've made an active choice to engage with the product, rather than being passively led through a generic signup process. However, it's crucial to ensure that the answers and subsequent user experience live up to the expectations set by this initial interaction to maintain a positive user experience beyond the signup stage.