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by: Kabirbedi
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Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2010 Time: 7:28 AM
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In an earlier article I talked about designing web forms effectively. However, even well-designed web forms have their share of problems when it comes to usability. Thus further serves to dissuade users and instead of attracting their interest, only end up frustrating them.

Here are some of the common usability problems with web forms and tips to avoid the problem in the first place.

1. Use of Technical Jargon

A form is only as usable as your users understand it! The language you use on your web forms is incredibly important as to how visitors respond. If you use internal or technical language to name your field entries, it would only serve to confuse users and encourage them to skip filling the form altogether.

So make sure you use your users' vocabulary and name your form fields in a way that its easily understandable by users. Use a common lingo. If acronyms are what people prefer, don't try to stretch out the words.

2. No Formatting Rules

Even if you internal systems demand strict formatting of some data, you shouldn't impose it on your users. A common mistake I've seen on web forms is the on the fields that ask for numbers such as that of credit cards, registration cards etc. Often, the fields are a blank block and when users try to submit the numbers separated by spaces, it returns an invalid message.

Effective formatting is of critical importance! Remember, its your job and don't let your users pay the price of poor formatting. So make sure you take care of your coding and make things seamless for your users.

3. Asking for Too Much

There is a only a thin line of difference between inquiry and interference. Many web forms ask users to share far too much information than what they would be comfortable sharing. If you ask for too much, users begin to mistrust your motives, get suspicious and abort the form altogether.

While your web forms should inquire about user information, take care you are not interfering beyond their comfort level. Remember, it takes a lot to persuade users to share their information and if you finally get it and try to stretch it too far, you would only end up losing your visitors. So keep your web forms crisp and concise so as to retain user interest and minimize the scope of any errors.

4. Wrong Positioning of Elements

A rather common practice when it comes to web forms is using a star (*) to mark required fields. However, often web forms place the star far too across the right which then go unnoticed by users. This defeats their very purpose.



When people fill out web forms, they tend to concentrate only at the questions followed by the form fields. And if the star doesn't lie in this path, there is no way they would notice it.

5. Adding Validation to Optional Fields

Optional fields in your web forms mean that you don't mind accepting no response for them. However, when you add validation to it, it just serves to add more friction to the process of completing the forms.

It is better to accept that data from the optional fields would be more prone to errors and inconsistencies. For all the more important parts of your web forms i.e. where you require only correct and relevant data, make sure you add a star and mark it as 'required field

Kabir Bedi is the Web Consultant at a professional web designing company based in India that specializes in providing a range of  web design solutionsand internet promotion services. He has completed several web design projects for clients from across the world.