Here are my suggestions for where to get started on better forms.
Understand some core principles in creating better forms
- Advice on writing good questions: How to write good questions for forms
- Key issues to think about when you’re designing a form: Designing forms that work
- How to handle complicated forms: Design tips for complex forms – this presentation to the UXPA conference in Washington 2013 offers advice on how to handle forms that have many fields, use complex terminology, or involve challenging tasks.
- Reviewing existing forms to improve them: Forms workshop – some suggestions on delivering a better experience for users and better information for you.
Most frequently asked questions in forms design
- Where should I put labels on forms? Don’t put labels inside text boxes
- Where should I place buttons? Buttons on forms and surveys: a look at some research
- What’s your advice on using dropdowns, progress indicators and accordions? Design patterns in government 2016 – this presentation is an update on our work within the Government Digital Service to deliver better online services. It includes a number of examples of research-based recommendations we now make to those designing government websites.
- Have you got an example of a good form? Take a look at My new favourite form, really
Read my most recent posts on better forms
- How to look at a form – a presentation for Boye and Company
- Prune and tune your forms – a webinar for Lunch and Learn
- Failing to fix your forms is costing you money
- Five ways to choose which form to fix
If you’d prefer to see everything I’ve ever written about forms, have a look at my publications list.