Design Better Forms

Common mistakes designers make and how to fix them

Forms are one of the most important components of digital product design. Whether it is a signup flow, a multi-view stepper, or a monotonous data entry interface. Forms are the way for lead generation.This article focuses on the common dos and don’ts of form design. Keep in mind that these are general guideline and there are exceptions to every rule.

1. Keep Form in Single Column

2. Top align labels

3. Group labels with their inputs

4. Avoid all caps

5. Show all selection options if under 6

6. Resist using placeholder text as labels

7. Place checkboxes (and radios) underneath each other for scannability

8. Make CTAs descriptive

9. Specify errors inline

10. Use inline validation after the user fills out the field (unless it helps them while in the process)

11. Don’t hide basic helper text

12. Differentiate primary from secondary actions

13. Use field length as an affordance

14. Ditch the * and denote optional fields

15. Group related information

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