Optimized Login & Signup Page for Taxy – A Tax Assistance SaaS

Background: Taxy isn’t just a design project for me—it’s a passion project and part of my side hustle. I wanted to create a tool that simplifies tax filing, and this was the perfect opportunity to refine the login/signup experience while also making progress on something I genuinely care about. 

Goal: The goal of this project was to make the login/signup experience for Taxy smooth, accessible, and user-friendly. Since Taxy helps people with their taxes, I wanted to create a stress-free and secure way for them to access their accounts.

Scope: Designed for both desktop & mobile users, with a focus on simplicity, accessibility, and ease of use.

Understanding the Users' Needs

Before jumping into design, I thought about what users really need when logging in or signing up:

• Simplicity – People want to log in quickly without any confusion.
• Accessibility – The design should follow WCAG 2.1 guidelines so that everyone, including people with disabilities, can use it.
• Security & Trust – Tax-related services deal with sensitive info, so the login should feel secure and reliable.
• Convenience – Many users prefer logging in with Google or Facebook instead of creating a new password.

Simple and Trustworthy Design

• Clean, modern layout to keep things easy to follow.
• Green accents align with Taxy’s branding and create a calm, professional feel.
• Right-side panel with an image and tagline reinforces what Taxy does.

Form Improvements for Usability

• Clear input fields with proper labels and placeholders.
• Auto-focus on email input to help users start faster.
• Show Password toggle so users can check their entry.
• Password strength indicator to guide strong password creation.
• Real-time validation messages for errors (e.g., invalid email format).
• Google & Facebook login options for easier access.

Accessibility (WCAG 2.1 Compliance)

• High contrast colors for readability.
• Keyboard-friendly navigation so users can log in without a mouse.
• ARIA labels & screen reader support for inclusivity.
• Focus states on fields so users can see where they’re typing.

Responsive for All Devices

• Looks great on both desktop & mobile.
• Big tap targets for easy clicking on mobile.
• Optimized text sizes for readability on any screen.

Key Takeaways & Next Steps

• Main Lesson: Simple, accessible design makes a huge difference in user experience.
• What I Learned: Small tweaks like better contrast, focus states, and real-time feedback greatly improve usability.
• Next Steps: Conduct user testing to refine the design based on real feedback.