Do not open sign-ups to everyone on version 2.3. Fix findings 1 and 2, then retest the same 8 tasks.
Two blockers stop simulated testers before their first deposit. Changing a risk answer clears the chosen portfolio (14 of 40 runs), and refreshing during the identity check deletes the uploaded document (22 of 40 runs). We replayed both in a fresh browser and an analyst reproduced both by hand. The three important findings are about wording and input rules: they slow people down but did not stop them. The two minor findings are small fixes.
Change a risk answer after choosing a portfolioEdge case1Blocker
Refresh the page during the identity checkEdge case2Blocker
Go back from the deposit to the portfolioEdge case6Minor
Findings by priority
7 findings. Blockers first.
Observedseen in the run, with a screenshotReplayed in a fresh browserChecked by an analystreproduced by hand
1BlockerEdge caseSaving the risk profile clears the chosen portfolioTask 6 · Change a risk answer after choosing a portfolio14 of 40 runs in this task
Steps to reproduce
On “Choose your portfolio”, select “Balanced”.
Open “Risk profile” from the menu.
Change the answer to question 4 so that the risk class changes.
Press Save and return to “Choose your portfolio”.
ExpectedThe portfolio stays selected, or the app says that the new answer changed which portfolios fit.
ActualThe selection is empty, Continue is disabled and no message explains why.
Evidence
ObservedReplayed in a fresh browserChecked by an analyst
An analyst reproduced it by hand on 1 Oct 2026 with test account 2. It happens only when the new answer changes the risk class. In the other 26 runs the class stayed the same and the portfolio stayed selected.
InterpretationMara, 58, after run 147
My portfolio was gone after I changed one answer. I thought I had done something wrong, so I started again.
Recommended fixKeep the selection after saving. If the portfolio no longer fits the new risk class, say so on the portfolio step and point to the answer that changed it.We check it in the retest: task 6, 40 runs.
staging.tidewell.example/onboarding/portfolio
Tidewell InvestStep 4 of 5
Choose your portfolio
CautiousRisk 2 of 7
BalancedRisk 4 of 7
GrowthRisk 6 of 7
Continue
Before savingRun 147 · step 6
staging.tidewell.example/onboarding/portfolio
Tidewell InvestStep 4 of 5
Choose your portfolio
CautiousRisk 2 of 7
BalancedRisk 4 of 7
GrowthRisk 6 of 7
1
Select a portfolio to continue
Continue
After savingRun 147 · step 11
“Select a portfolio to continue”The only text on the screen after saving. Quote matched to the screenshot.
Who ran into it
MMara, 586 of 10
IInes, 274 of 10
OOla, 453 of 10
TTomas, 341 of 10
2BlockerEdge caseRefreshing during the identity check deletes the uploaded documentTask 7 · Refresh the page during the identity check22 of 40 runs in this task
Steps to reproduce
Open “Verify your identity”.
Upload the front of an ID document. A thumbnail appears.
Refresh the page before pressing Verify.
The upload area is empty again and Verify is disabled.
ExpectedThe uploaded document is still there, or the app says it needs it again.
ActualThe document is gone without a message. In 9 of the 22 runs the tester did not upload it again before the run ended.
Evidence
ObservedReplayed in a fresh browserChecked by an analyst
It happens whenever the refresh comes after the upload. In the other 18 runs the testers refreshed before uploading, and nothing was lost.
InterpretationTomas, 34, after run 203
I refreshed because it looked stuck, and my ID was gone. I think it was rejected, but it does not say why.
Recommended fixKeep the upload across a refresh. If that is not possible, say clearly that the document has to be uploaded again and why.We check it in the retest: task 7, 40 runs.
staging.tidewell.example/onboarding/identity
Tidewell InvestStep 2 of 5
Verify your identity
We need a photo of your ID to open your account.
Upload the front of your IDJPG, PNG or PDF
2
Empty again after the refresh
Verify
After refreshRun 203 · step 7
“Upload the front of your ID”Shown again after the refresh, with no other message.
Who ran into it
MMara, 587 of 10
IInes, 275 of 10
OOla, 454 of 10
TTomas, 346 of 10
3ImportantThe deposit screen does not say when the money arrivesTask 5 · Make a first deposit by bank transfer17 of 40 runs in this task
Steps to reproduce
Finish steps 1 to 4 of onboarding.
Open “Make your first deposit”.
Read the bank details and press “I have sent the money”.
The screen gives no arrival time and no next step.
ExpectedThe screen says how long a bank transfer usually takes to show up, and what happens next.
ActualOnly the bank details and a reference. In 17 runs the tester paused for more than 20 seconds or opened Help.
Evidence
ObservedInterpretation
The pauses and Help clicks are observed in the runs. Why the testers paused is our interpretation, so this is a wording question to confirm with real clients.
InterpretationMara, 58, after run 92
If the money does not show up today, is it lost?
Recommended fixSay when the money usually arrives and that you will send an email when it does. Test the new wording with a few real clients.We check it in the retest: task 5, 40 runs.
staging.tidewell.example/onboarding/deposit
Tidewell InvestStep 5 of 5
Make your first deposit
Transfer the amount to the account below.
Account
XX00 0000 1234 5678 90
Reference
TW-48213
Bank
Test bank (staging)
3
No arrival time, no next step
I have sent the money
DepositRun 92 · step 4
“Transfer the amount to the account below.”The only instruction on the screen.
Who ran into it
MMara, 587 of 10
IInes, 276 of 10
OOla, 452 of 10
TTomas, 342 of 10
4Important“Suitability” and “Risk profile” name the same stepTask 3 · Complete the risk profile questionnaire11 of 40 runs in this task
Steps to reproduce
Open the menu. The step is called “Risk profile”.
Select it. The page title reads “Complete your suitability assessment”.
In 11 runs the tester went back to the menu to look for a separate suitability step.
ExpectedOne name for one step.
ActualTwo names for the same step, on the same screen.
Evidence
ObservedChecked by an analyst
An analyst confirmed that both names appear on this screen. The trips back to the menu are observed in the runs.
InterpretationInes, 27, after run 61
Suitability, risk profile: are these two different forms I still have to fill in?
Recommended fixUse one name everywhere. If the legal term is needed, add it as a short explanation under the title.
staging.tidewell.example/onboarding/risk-profile
Tidewell InvestStep 3 of 5
Account
Identity
Risk profile
4
Portfolio
Deposit
Complete your suitability assessment
Question 1 of 8
Less than 3 years
3 to 10 years
Next question
Risk profileRun 61 · step 2
“Complete your suitability assessment”Page title, under the menu item “Risk profile”.
Who ran into it
MMara, 585 of 10
IInes, 274 of 10
OOla, 451 of 10
TTomas, 341 of 10
5ImportantThe phone field rejects numbers with spacesTask 1 · Open an account with email and phone number9 of 40 runs in this task
Steps to reproduce
Open “Create your account”.
Type a phone number with spaces, for example +44 7700 900123.
Press Continue. The field shows “Enter a valid phone number”.
Remove the spaces and press Continue again: the number is accepted.
ExpectedThe number is accepted, or the field says which format it needs.
ActualA general error. The number works only without spaces.
Evidence
ObservedReplayed in a fresh browserChecked by an analyst
Reproduced by hand with three number formats. Only the format without spaces passes.
InterpretationOla, 45, after run 12
Why does it not take my number the way my bank writes it?
Recommended fixAccept spaces and a country prefix, or show the expected format next to the field before the error.
staging.tidewell.example/sign-up
Tidewell InvestStep 1 of 5
Create your account
Emailtester.17@example.com
Phone number+44 7700 900123
Enter a valid phone number
5
Continue
Sign-upRun 12 · step 3
“Enter a valid phone number”Error under the phone field.
Who ran into it
MMara, 583 of 10
IInes, 272 of 10
OOla, 453 of 10
TTomas, 341 of 10
6MinorEdge caseGoing back from the deposit resets the amountTask 8 · Go back from the deposit to the portfolio6 of 40 runs in this task
Steps to reproduce
Enter an amount on “Make your first deposit”.
Press Back to return to the portfolio.
Press Continue. The amount field is empty again.
ExpectedThe amount stays filled in.
ActualThe amount is reset to empty.
Evidence
ObservedReplayed in a fresh browser
Every tester who went back typed the amount again, so nobody was stopped by it.
Recommended fixKeep the amount when people go back and forth between steps.
staging.tidewell.example/onboarding/deposit
Tidewell InvestStep 5 of 5
Make your first deposit
How much do you want to invest?Amount in EUR
6
Empty after going back
Continue
After going backRun 289 · step 5
“Amount in EUR”Empty field placeholder after returning.
Who ran into it
MMara, 582 of 10
IInes, 271 of 10
OOla, 451 of 10
TTomas, 342 of 10
7MinorThe fees are only visible after scrollingTask 4 · Choose a portfolio and read the fees5 of 40 runs in this task
Steps to reproduce
Open “Choose your portfolio” in a 1440 × 900 window.
Look at the visible area: three portfolios and Continue, no fees.
Scroll down: the fee summary starts below the visible area.
ExpectedThe yearly fee is visible next to each choice.
ActualFees appear only after scrolling. In 5 runs the tester pressed Continue without seeing them.
Evidence
ObservedInterpretation
Whether the fee summary was seen is measured by scrolling in the run. What testers concluded about fees is our interpretation.
InterpretationTomas, 34, after run 118
I did not see any fees, so I assumed there were none.
Recommended fixShow the yearly fee on each portfolio option, and keep the full summary below.
“Fee summary”Heading below the visible area at 1440 × 900.
Who ran into it
MMara, 581 of 10
IInes, 271 of 10
OOla, 450 of 10
TTomas, 343 of 10
Simulated testers
Four simulated testers. Each ran every task ten times.
Each profile sets how they click, read, hesitate and give up. Every run starts in a fresh browser with its own small variation of the profile.
M
Mara, 58
Saving for retirement, new to apps like this
Digital skill
Patience
Investing experience
Care with personal data
GoalOpen an account and set up a first investment without help from family.
OutcomeFinished most tasks, but often started over after the portfolio was cleared and waited long on the deposit screen.
Ran into a finding Most often at the identity check and the deposit, 7 of 10 each
31 of 80 runs
I
Ines, 27
First-time investor, reads every line
Digital skill
Patience
Investing experience
Care with personal data
GoalUnderstand the risk questions and choose a portfolio she can explain to herself.
OutcomeWent back and picked the portfolio again when it was cleared. Stopped at the two names for the risk step.
Ran into a finding Most often at the deposit, 6 of 10
23 of 80 runs
O
Ola, 45
Moving savings from her bank, watches costs
Digital skill
Patience
Investing experience
Care with personal data
GoalCompare the yearly fee before she commits any money.
OutcomeScrolled to the fees in every run of task 4. Tripped over the phone format and the refresh during the identity check.
Ran into a finding Most often at the identity check, 4 of 10
14 of 80 runs
T
Tomas, 34
Busy, skims and clicks fast
Digital skill
Patience
Investing experience
Care with personal data
GoalGet from sign-up to a first deposit as fast as possible.
OutcomeRefreshed when a page looked slow and lost his ID upload. Pressed Continue past the fees.
Ran into a finding Most often at the identity check, 6 of 10
16 of 80 runs
84 of the 320 runs ran into one of the 7 findings. Each task has at most one finding, so no run is counted twice.
Withdrawn findings
3 findings removed. Our tool was at fault, not your app.
We take our own mistakes out before you see the report and list them here, so you know what we removed and why.
Continue did not respond on the portfolio step
Cause
Our browser clicked before the page had finished loading.
How we know
We replayed the 12 affected runs with a normal wait. Continue worked in all 12.
Identity check timed out
Cause
A timeout in our test runner, not in your app.
How we know
Replayed in a fresh browser, the check finished normally every time.
Unclear error text on the deposit step
Cause
The quoted text did not match the text on the screenshot.
How we know
Our quote check compares every quote with the screen. This one failed, so we removed it.
Scope and limits
What we tested. And what this test does not tell you.
Test setup
Product
Tidewell Invest web app, onboarding and first investment
Version
2.3 (build 2.3.0-rc2)
Address
staging.tidewell.example
Test dates
29 Sep to 1 Oct 2026
Device
Desktop browser, Chromium, 1440 × 900
Runs
320: 8 tasks × 4 simulated testers × 10 runs
Test data
Two test accounts from your team, test bank details
Access
Agreed with your team before the test, outside Validator
What this test does not tell you
How real people behave. Simulated testers show where a flow breaks and where it is unclear. Interpretations are hypotheses until real clients confirm them.
Your conversion. “14 of 40 runs” is how often a simulated tester hit the problem, not how many clients you would lose.
Phones. This scope covered a desktop browser only.
Anything after the first deposit. Statements, withdrawals and account changes were not in scope.
Legal, accessibility and load. This is not a regulatory review, an accessibility audit or a performance test.
Confirm with real clients next
Finding 3Show two versions of the deposit screen, with and without the arrival time, to five or more of your clients. Ask what they expect to happen next.
Finding 4Ask which name they understand: “Risk profile” or “Suitability assessment”.
Finding 7Check that clients notice the yearly fee once it sits on each portfolio option.
Next step
Fix the blockers. Then retest the same tasks.
A retest runs the same 8 tasks and 4 simulated testers on your next version. Each finding is marked fixed, still present or new, and a person confirms each one.
