Log in C70006

Description

A log in form includes two fields. One has to complete its fields in order to access a protected area of the site. Access to the secured area is granted when the user has provided a valid combination of e-mail address and password.

Context of Use

Log in screens are displayed when a website has a protected area. Often this protected area knows personal information about the user. It also provides a user with more privileges and tools than a regular visitor to the site. 

How it works

When a user is registered to the website, he may access the secure area of the website by logging in. A text has to explain that one has to be registered to have access to the secure website area. A hyper link to the registration page has to be communicated as well. The user has to to complete two required fields. These mandatory fields are clearly labelled with an asterisk symbol. The first field asks for an e-mail address, whereas the second field asks for the user’s password.
Sometimes a website asks for an user name instead of e-mail address, but when users are members of several websites, they often forget their user name. Then, it is best to ask for an e-mail address, to which a registration e-mail with confirmation link is sent after registration (to prevent abuse of someone’s e-mail address).
At some websites a password can be chosen by the user itself (during registration process), at other websites a password is sent to the user’s e-mail address (mostly, for first log in).
When the user presses the ‘log in’ button, the fields have to validate and the user is logged in. When this does not happen, a text appears: “This combination of e-mail address and password is not known to us.” The user has to be guided what tasks he has to perform next. A user may be notified of a “Forgot password”-option and contacting a help desk in this phase.
The website may also offer a box that may be ticked, to stay logged in the next time that the user visits the website. Possible risks have to be communicated (e.g. “Only tick this box when you are the only one who uses this computer…”).

Specification

Required fields for a log in screen should be ‘E-mail address’ and ‘Password’.