Make online forms easier for everyone
UX tips for public sector and not-for-profit teams to reduce form drop-offs and improve completion rates with smarter, simpler design.
Categories
Only ask what you truly need
Long forms feel overwhelming — focus on essential fields only.
Cut the fluff
Remove any “nice to have” questions that don’t affect the outcome.
Use the data you already have
Avoid asking users for info that your system already stores.
Group optional fields last
Don’t put optional questions up front.
Audit your forms
Regularly review fields with staff — ask, “Do we still need this?”
Use plain language for field labels
Group questions into logical sections
Use progressive disclosure
Make forms easy to complete on mobile
Handle errors with care
Give feedback on completion
Design for assistive technology
Minimise cognitive load
Let users save and resume later
Only ask what you truly need
Long forms feel overwhelming — focus on essential fields only.
Cut the fluff
Remove any “nice to have” questions that don’t affect the outcome.
Use the data you already have
Avoid asking users for info that your system already stores.
Group optional fields last
Don’t put optional questions up front.
Audit your forms
Regularly review fields with staff — ask, “Do we still need this?”
Use plain language for field labels
Group questions into logical sections
Use progressive disclosure
Make forms easy to complete on mobile
Handle errors with care
Give feedback on completion
Design for assistive technology
Minimise cognitive load
Let users save and resume later
Only ask what you truly need
Long forms feel overwhelming — focus on essential fields only.
Cut the fluff
Remove any “nice to have” questions that don’t affect the outcome.
Use the data you already have
Avoid asking users for info that your system already stores.
Group optional fields last
Don’t put optional questions up front.
Audit your forms
Regularly review fields with staff — ask, “Do we still need this?”
Use plain language for field labels
Group questions into logical sections
Use progressive disclosure
Make forms easy to complete on mobile
Handle errors with care
Give feedback on completion
Design for assistive technology
Minimise cognitive load
Let users save and resume later