Let’s face it. Nobody enjoys filling out forms, let alone long forms.
But there are some key steps you can take to make the process easier and less frustrating for your customers. On form re-design projects we’ve worked on, we’ve seen this simple technique increase customer satisfaction levels by up to 60% (based on optional post form completion survey results).
The techniques are easy to implement, resulting in more leads, sales, conversions and satisfied customers.
1.) Break the Form up into Multiple Pages.
Breaking your form up into multiple pages can really help get customers engaged in your form without them feeling overwhelmed about its length.
When you present a big, long, single-page form to your users, it may look like a daunting task to complete. Instead, start with only a few fields on the first page and include a continue button.
By using gradual engagement, you make it easier for your customers to start your form. Use conditional branching to only show the pages of your form relevant to your user. By hiding the questions that aren’t relevant, you’ll speed up completion times and increase conversions.
2.) Use a Start Page to Let the User Know What to Expect.
Long forms sometimes requires information that users might not have on hand (like account numbers, or references). Use a start page that lets the user know what they’ll need to complete the form. There’s nothing worse than getting half way through an application, and then finding out you need some information that you don’t have available.
By providing a start page, with a list of items needed to complete the form, you’ll ensure your users have what they need to complete your form. It also can increase conversion rates because users are less likely to abandon your form.
3.) Conditional Logic Means Higher Completion Rates.
This is one of our favorite techniques. We think you’ll find it provides a quick way to boost your completion rates. Using conditional logic is the process of hiding/showing only the fields or pages that are relevant to your user. As they fill out the form, the form intelligently adjusts to ask only the relevant questions.
With Logiforms, you have the flexibility to hide/show fields (Field Dependencies) and to hide/show pages on a multipage form easily. Using conditional logic, you can create smart forms that have an intelligent conversation with your user. These forms ask only the questions that are relevant, ultimately streamlining the completion process.
4.) Using a Progress Indicator
On multi-page forms, it’s a good idea to provide a progress indicator. A progress indicator helps illuminate the path to completion and answers the following questions:
- How long is this form? How many pages are there?
- Which step/page am I currently on?
- How far am I from finishing this form?
Progress indicators make the path to completion clear for your users and answers their key questions. Logiforms makes it simple to provide professionally designed progress indicators to your forms.
5.) Allow the User to “Save & Finish Later.”
For long forms that may be difficult to complete in one sitting, Logiforms’ Save & Finish Later functionality is a great option you can provide to your users. Users can simply elect to save their progress and complete the application at a later date.
This technique can improve completion rates because it gives the user an alternative to completing the form in one sitting. Without this option on your long form, your user could be forced to abandon the form if they get interrupted or are unable to complete the form for whatever reason. And who wants to re-fill out the same form? Give them the option to Save & Finish later and watch your completion rates skyrocket.