the features of highly effective forms [smashingconf nyc 2016]

THE FEATURES OF H I G H LY E F F E C T I V E

FORMSAaron Gustafson @AaronGustafson slideshare.net/AaronGustafson

http://twitter.com/aarongustafson

http://slideshare.net/AaronGustafson

IConsider the conversation

Make every field fight for its place in

your forms.

Perc

enta

ge o

f Use

rs C

onve

rted

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

Number of Fields1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

http://is.gd/field_count_conversion

http://is.gd/field_count_conversion

MICHAEL AAGAARD, UNBOUNCE

I finally convinced the client to let me remove three form fields. I wanted to

remove more, but I could only get away with removing three. But that’s still one

third of the form fields – a lot less friction.

The result? 14% drop in conversion.

http://is.gd/fewer_fields_fewer_conversions

http://is.gd/fewer_fields_fewer_conversions

Prepare for pushback.

IIChoose yourwords carefully

HATE SPEECHHARASSMENT

How does this photo make you feel?

� Embarrassing � Upsetting � Saddening � Bad Photo � Other

How does this photo make you feel?

� Embarrassing � Upsetting � Saddening � Bad Photo ◉ Other it’s embarrassing

Please describe the photo

� It’s embarrassing � It’s a bad photo of me � It makes me sad

Talk to your users like they talk

to one another.

Ask higher value questions.

Make it clear users need to respond

“What’s your first name?”

“Without your first name, I won’tknow how to address you.

Could you please provide it?”

“Reserve your spot”

IIIMake goodmarkup choices

Label every field

Who you gonna call? <input name=“calling”>

<label>Who you gonna call?</label> <input name=“calling”>

<label for=“calling”>Who you gonna call?</label> <input id=“calling” name=“calling”>

<label> Who you gonna call? <input name=“calling”> </label>

<label for=“calling”> Who you gonna call? <input id=“calling” name=“calling”> </label>

Use real buttons

Sign In

<input type=“submit” value=“Sign In”>

Sign In

<button type=“submit”>Sign In</button>

Sign In

<a href=“#” class=“button”>Sign In</a>

Sign In

<div class=“button”>Sign In</div>

Sign InSign In

<input type=“submit” value=“Sign In”>

Sign In

Appearance Seen As Focusable Activates Submits Forms

Button Button Yes Yes Yes


Sign In



<a href=“#” class=“button” role=“button”>Sign In</a>

Sign In


Inline Text Link Yes Kinda No

JS dependency

<

JS dependency<

ARIA dependency

<CSS dependency<

<div class=“button” role=“button” tabindex=“0”>Sign In</div>

Sign InSign In


Block Text Generic No No No

JS dependency

<

JS dependency<

ARIA dependency

<CSS dependency< HTML dependency<


Sign In



Use the rightfield type

THE FEATURES OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE FORMS

<label for=“calling”>Who you gonna call?</label> <input type=“text” id=“calling” name=“calling”>

Free Response



Free Response (is the default)


<label for=“email”>What’s Your Business Email Address?</label> <input type=“email” id=“email” name=“email”>

Free Response: Email

Appearance Native Validation Custom Keyboard

Text Field Maybe Maybe

Browsers ignore what they don’t

understand

Progressive Enhancement


<label for=“url”>What’s Your Website’s URL?</label> <input type=“url” id=“url” name=“url”>

Free Response: URL


Text Field Maybe Maybe


<label for=“time_at_job”>How Many Years Have You Been in Your Current Position?</label> <input type=“number” id=“time_at_job” name=“time_at_job”>

Free Response: Number


Text Field+ Maybe Maybe


Choose One

Please describe the photo

� It’s embarrassing � It’s a bad photo of me � It makes me sad


Please describe the photo <label> <input type=“radio” name=“reason” value=“embarrassing”> It’s embarrassing </label> <label> <input type=“radio” name=“reason” value=“bad photo”> It’s a bad photo of me </label> <label> <input type=“radio” name=“reason” value=“saddening”> It makes me sad </label>

Choose One


<label for=“reason”>Please describe the photo</label> <select id=“reason” name=“reason”> <option value=“embarrassing”>It’s embarrassing</option> <option value=“bad photo”>It’s a bad photo of me</option> <option value=“saddening”>It makes me sad</option> </select>

Choose One


<label for=“reason”>Please describe the photo</label> <select id=“reason” name=“reason”> <option>It’s embarrassing</option> <option>It’s a bad photo of me</option> <option>It makes me sad</option> </select>

Choose One

Radio controls can outperform select

dropdowns byas much as 15%

http://is.gd/radio_vs_dropdown

http://is.gd/radio_vs_dropdown


<label for=“volume">How Loud is Spinal Tap?</label> <input type=“range" id=“volume" name=“volume” min=“0” max=“11” step=“1” >

Choose One: Number


Slider (Maybe) Maybe No


<label for=“volume">How Loud is Spinal Tap?</label> <input type=“range" id=“volume" name=“volume” min=“0” max=“11” step=“1” >

Choose One: Number


Slider Maybe No


Choose One or More


Gaming Systems (4 available) <label> <input type=“checkbox” name=“reserve[]” value=“DS Lite”> Nintendo DS Lite </label> <label> <input type=“checkbox” name=“reserve[]” value=“Wii”> Nintendo Wii </label> <label> <input type=“checkbox” name=“reserve[]” value=“Vita”> PlayStation Vita </label>

Choose One or More


<label for=“gaming”>Gaming Systems (4 available)</label> <select id=“gaming” name=“reserve[]” multiple> <option value=“DS Lite”>Nintendo DS Lite</option> <option value=“Wii”>Nintendo Wii</option> <option value=“Vita”>PlayStation Vita</option> <option value=“360”>Xbox 360</option> </select>

Choose One or More


Gaming Systems (4 available) <label> <input type=“checkbox” name=“reserve[]” value=“DS Lite”> Nintendo DS Lite </label> <label> <input type=“checkbox” name=“reserve[]” value=“Wii”> Nintendo Wii </label> <label> <input type=“checkbox” name=“reserve[]” value=“Vita”> PlayStation Vita </label>

Choose One or More

Don’t introduce unnecessary complexity.

Phone Number:


<label for=“tel”>What’s Your Business Phone Number?</label> <input type=“tel” id=“tel” name=“business_phone”>

Free Response: Telephone


Text Field No Maybe

We should work harderso our users don’t have to.


<label for=“flight”>What flight are you looking for?</label> <input id="flight" name=“flight” pattern=“DL\d{2,}” placeholder=“e.g. DL5407” >

Structured Data: Custom

IVLay out fieldswith purpose


Field & Label Layouts

Label

Label

Label

Label

Label


Checkboxes & Radio Controls

� Embarrassing � Upsetting � Saddening � Bad Photo � Other


<fieldset class=“grouped radios”> … <label> <input type=“radio” name=“reason” value=“embarrassing”> It’s embarrassing </label> … </fieldset>


� Embarrassing


.confirmation label,

.radios label,

.checkboxes label { margin: -1em 0; padding: 1em 0; }


� Embarrassing

Don’t fall into the custom control trap.

VHelps users avoid (and fix) errors

Let users know when a field is required.


<p>Fields marked with a * are <strong id=“required">required</strong>.</p>

…

<label for=“first_name”>What’s Your First Name? <b role=“presentation” class=“required”>*</b> </label> <input id="first_name" name=“first_name" required aria-required=“true" >

Required Fields


<p><strong>All of the fields are required.</strong></p>

…

<label for=“first_name”>What’s Your First Name?</label> <input id="first_name" name=“first_name" required aria-required=“true" >

Required Fields

Provide useful hints as to the type of response you’re

expecting.


<label for=“pattern”>Enter three numbers followed by two letters</label> <input id="pattern" name=“pattern” pattern=“\d{3}[a-zA-Z]{2}” placeholder=“e.g. 123ab” >

Suggesting a response

(The placeholder is nota substitute for a label.)

Validatein the browser.

LUKE WROBLEWSKI

Our participants were faster, more successful, less error-prone, and more

satisfied when they used the forms with inline validation.

http://is.gd/inline_form_validation

LUKE WROBLEWSKI

22% increase in success rates 22% decrease in errors made

31% increase in satisfaction rating 42% decrease in completion times

47% decrease in the number of eye fixations

http://is.gd/inline_form_validation


<label for=“first_name”>What’s Your First Name?</label> <input id="first_name" name=“first_name" required aria-required=“true" >

Indicate Required Fields


<label for=“email”>What’s Your Business Email Address?</label> <input type=“email” id=“email” name=“email”>

Use Native Validation


<label for=“flight”>What flight are you looking for?</label> <input id="flight" name=“flight” pattern=“DL\d{2,}” placeholder=“e.g. DL5407” >

Use Custom Validation Schema


<label for=“email”>Your Email Address</label> <input id="email" type="email" name=“email" required aria-required=“true” aria-invalid=“true” aria-describedby=“email-error" > <strong id="email-error" class=“validation-error-message"> Your email address is required</strong>

Provide Inline Error Messages

Validateon the server.

Never trustthe client.

Summarizeserver-side errors.

<div role=“alert”> <p>There were errors with your form submission:</p> <ol> <li><a href="#message">Message</a> is a required field</li> <li><a href="#name">Name</a> is a required field</li> <li><a href="#email">Email</a> is a required field</li> </ol> </div>


<label for=“email”>Your Email Address</label> <input id="email" type="email" name=“email" required aria-required=“true” aria-invalid=“true” aria-describedby=“email-error" > <strong id="email-error" class=“validation-error-message"> Your email address is required</strong>

Provide Inline Error Messages

<li class="text validation-error">  </li>

Provide Visual Feedback of Errors


li.validation-error { color: #922026; } li.validation-error input, li.validation-error select, li.validation-error textarea { border-color: #922026; }



.validation-error label::before { content: “x "; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; speak: none; /* The future! */ }



The Features of Highly Effective Forms๏Consider the conversation ๏Choose your words carefully ๏Make good markup choices ๏Lay out fields with purpose ๏Help users avoid (and fix) errors

159


Further Reading๏ “Web Form Design” by Luke Wroblewski (Rosenfeld Media) ๏ “An Extensive Guide To Web Form Usability” by Justin Mifsud

https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2011/11/extensive-guide-web-form-usability/ ๏ “Optimizing forms for greater conversions” by Maya Nix

http://blog.usabilla.com/optimizing-forms-greater-conversions/ ๏ “The Definitive Guide to Form Label Positioning” by Jessica Enders

http://www.sitepoint.com/definitive-guide-form-label-positioning/

164

Thank you!

@AaronGustafson aaron-gustafson.com

slideshare.net/AaronGustafson

Questions?

Tweet me at@AaronGustafson

the features of highly effective forms [smashingconf nyc 2016]

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