Question pages

Form structure

What are the main benefits of starting with one idea per page?

Focus: Asking one question at a time helps users focus on the task at hand. This is especially beneficial for complex forms or surveys, where multiple fields can easily overwhelm or confuse the user. The user's attention is undivided, leading to higher quality responses and fewer errors.

Efficiency: Due to the improved focus of the task at hand, completion time for forms can be lowered when measured against traditional long form patterns.

Progression: This approach gives users a sense of progression and accomplishment as they navigate through the form, which can motivate them to complete the form. It allows for a linear progression model, which can be less intimidating and less overwhelming than seeing a full page of empty fields at once.

Reduce Cognitive Load: By reducing the amount of information presented at once, this design pattern can help minimize cognitive load. The cognitive load theory suggests that our working memory capacity is limited, and if too much information is presented at once, it can lead to confusion and mistakes.

Adaptive: allows for adaptive questioning. The answer to one question can determine the next question asked. This isn't always possible when all questions are presented at once. This can help make the form shorter and more relevant for the user, increasing completion rates and user satisfaction.

Data Quality: With all the user's attention on one question, they are more likely to provide accurate and thoughtful answers. This can help to improve the quality of data gathered.

Mobile Friendly: As mobile usage continues to grow, one question at a time approach makes it easier for users to fill out the form on smaller screens. Long forms can be particularly daunting on mobile devices, so breaking it up into smaller, manageable pieces can improve user experience.

Error Handling:If a user makes an error on a form, it is easier and faster to provide feedback on that specific question, leading to an overall smoother and less frustrating user experience.

Using progress indicators

Start by testing your form without a progress indicator to see if it’s simple enough that users do not need one.

Try improving the order, type or number of questions before adding a progress indicator. If people still have difficulty, try adding a simple step or question indicator.

Only include the total number of questions if you can do so reliably. As the user moves through the form, make sure the indicator updates to tell them which question they are on and the total number remaining.

Why should I avoid progress indicators on forms?

Induce anxiety: If the form is lengthy, showing a slow-moving progress bar can induce anxiety and may deter the user from completing the form. Users could feel overwhelmed by the perceived time investment and the number of questions yet to come.

False perception: Progress bars often represent completion in a linear fashion, but not all form questions take an equal amount of time or effort to complete. A user might spend more time on an earlier question and then speed through subsequent ones. This can lead to an inaccurate perception of progress, causing user frustration.

Distraction: In an adaptive questioning scenario where the next question depends on the answer to the current question, it's challenging to provide an accurate progress indicator as the total number of questions can change dynamically.

Speed over accuracy: A progress indicator can lead users to rush through the form to see the progress bar move faster, thus sacrificing the quality of their responses.

Cannot use branching form logic: It's challenging to provide an accurate progress indicator in a non-linear form where the next question depends on the answer to the current question. The total number of questions will change dynamically.

Additional development and testing time: that progress indicators and form steppers introduce.

When to use a form stepper

Make it clear which tasks a user has completed and which they still need to complete.