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Forms are one of the best ways to gather valuable information from your users, whether it’s collecting feedback through a survey or getting essential details on a sign-up page. But let’s be real, filling out forms is not that exciting, and many users will abandon a form if it’s too complicated or takes too long to complete.
To create forms that users actually want to complete, it’s all about structure and optimization. When you design user-friendly forms, you’re respecting your users’ time, which makes it more likely they’ll stay engaged and finish what they started. Let’s go through some tips to help you build forms that users will complete from start to finish.
One of the most effective ways to reduce form abandonment is to keep things short and relevant. Only ask for the information you really need. Every additional field you add increases the chance that users will lose interest or get frustrated and abandon the form. So, if you don’t absolutely need it, leave it out.
For example, if you’re designing a sign-up form, asking for a user’s email address, name, and password might be enough. Asking for information like “favourite colour” or “how did you hear about us?” might add unnecessary friction unless it directly benefits the user experience.
Sometimes, you can’t avoid a longer form, especially if you’re gathering detailed information, like during a registration process or a checkout. In these cases, breaking the form down into manageable steps can make the process feel less overwhelming. When users are presented with smaller, bite-sized sections, they’re more likely to stay engaged and complete the form.
This approach is actually one of the reasons why **Typeform** became so popular. Typeform revolutionized forms by presenting questions one at a time, transforming the experience into a series of easy, conversational steps. This structure makes the form feel less daunting and significantly reduces abandonment rates. Instead of seeing a long list of fields, users only need to focus on one question at a time, making the experience feel smoother and more manageable.
A progress indicator can also be a game-changer here, showing users how far along they are in the process. For example, if the form is divided into three steps, a simple “Step 1 of 3” progress bar gives users a sense of completion as they move forward, helping reduce the chance they’ll quit halfway through.
Labelling is key when designing forms. Labels should be concise and easy to understand, so users immediately know what information is required in each field. Avoid jargon or overly technical language, simple, clear instructions are the way to go.
When deciding where to place your labels, think about readability and ease of use. Placing labels above the input fields is often the most user-friendly option, as it keeps things clear and prevents confusion. You can also use placeholders inside the input fields, but be careful, make sure they remain visible or fade to a smaller size when users start typing so they don’t forget what’s being asked.
Organising your form fields into logical groups helps make the form more readable and easier to complete. For example, on a checkout form, you might have one section for personal information, one for payment details, and another for shipping preferences.
Visually separate each group, perhaps with a subtle line or some extra padding, to create a clear distinction between sections. This organization improves scalability, so users don’t have to work hard to find where they need to enter information.
There’s nothing more frustrating than filling out an entire form only to be hit with a list of errors after submitting. Help users correct mistakes as they go by using real-time validation. Show them what needs to be fixed right away, if an email isn’t valid, for example, let them know as soon as they type it in.
Friendly, clear error messages make a huge difference here. Instead of a generic “error” message, use something specific and helpful like “Please enter a valid email address” or “Your password must be at least 8 characters.” This way, users know exactly what went wrong and how to fix it.
With so many people accessing websites on their phones, making forms mobile-friendly is essential. Ensure input fields and buttons are large enough to be easily tapped, and use input types that make mobile entry easier. For instance, setting a phone number field to display a numeric keypad or using a date picker for dates can simplify the process.
In addition to mobile responsiveness, make sure all form elements are accessible with just a few taps. No one wants to pinch and zoom just to fill out a simple form!
Accessibility is crucial for ensuring that your form is usable by everyone, including people with disabilities. Make sure each input field has a visible label, even if it’s a placeholder, as screen readers rely on these labels to communicate what information is required.
Add descriptive alt text for any icons or images, and ensure that each element has a clear focus state. This will allow users who navigate with a keyboard or screen reader to move through the form smoothly. A well-designed, accessible form is one that everyone can use, which can broaden your audience and improve user satisfaction.
For fields that might be confusing or require specific formatting, adding help text or examples can be extremely useful. For instance, in a date field, a hint like “MM/DD/YYYY” can prevent users from entering the wrong format. Place help text directly below the input field or use tooltips if you want to keep the interface clean.
These small details can prevent errors and make the form experience smoother for users who aren’t sure what’s expected of them.
If you can reduce the amount of typing a user has to do, you’re making the form experience easier. Pre-fill fields whenever possible, using information like location-based data to auto-fill city or country fields. Enable browser autofill as well, so users can quickly enter frequently used information like their address or payment details.
Smart defaults and autocomplete make the form feel faster and less like a chore, which increases the likelihood that users will complete it.
Clearly marking which fields are required and which are optional can prevent confusion and frustration. A simple “required” label next to mandatory fields can be more effective than an asterisk (*) alone, which users might miss or not understand.
Wherever possible, limit the number of mandatory fields. Optional fields give users the freedom to choose what information they want to share, making the form feel less demanding and more user-friendly.
The final step in your form design is the submission button. Make this button clear and descriptive, use action words like “Sign Up” or “Get Started” instead of a vague “Submit.” The more specific you are, the better the user will understand what happens next.
After users submit the form, a confirmation message or page reassures them that their submission was successful. You could say something like “Thank you for signing up! We’ve received your information and will be in touch soon.” This final touch leaves users with a positive impression and confirms that their time wasn’t wasted.
Designing user-friendly forms that actually get completed is an essential skill in UX/UI. Forms might seem simple, but they have a big impact on user experience. Remember, every detail matters, from clear labels and real-time validation to mobile optimization and accessible design.
If you’re interested in diving deeper into UX/UI design and learning how to create more intuitive digital experiences, uxlab.academy offers a wealth of resources to help you get started. Whether you’re just beginning or looking to level up, we’ve got tools, tutorials, and a community ready to support you.
Happy designing! and good luck with those forms!
