Multiple steps form. All-in-one or multiple web pages.

Question

Is it preferable to develop multiple steps form (80+ fields grouped into 5 steps) as single web page (tabbed) compared to page-per-step approach if users tend to complete form when started to populate? What are draw-backs big tabbed single page and page-per-step forms usually have?

Thank you in advance!

Answer 1

Honestly if your form has 80+ fields, I believe you are asking for too much info! No one wants to spend that much time filling in a form. You would have much better success rate with a slimmed down process.

To answer you question though, I think it's more of a personal choice - not really a best practice. I for one prefer one form, tabbed if it has to be. I can scan the page and see all the info you are asking for, decide if I can be bother to complete it and it just seems quicker. I really dislike multipage forms/reg processes. Seems to slow the whole experience down (especially with 5 pages of it).

Perhaps that's just the minimalist in me?

Answer 2

IMHO the division must be done by relevance on inputs like an

Address section can group all fields like:

address 1, ddress 2, zip, country, city, state / province / region

while the Contact section can group

phone number, cell number, work number,  e-mail, myspace, linkedin

Then depend, if all the fields are required or not!!! you can plan to write it different way!!! for example using tabs!!!

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USEFUL TOOLS:

BTW you can found this links useful

If i could remember right: there are some jQuery Plugin that doing all the job for you by transforming your huge form into step-by-step form!

• http://www.jankoatwarpspeed.com/post/2009/09/28/webform-wizard-jquery.aspx

• http://plugins.jquery.com/project/babysteps

a must see / try is also this web service

• http://wufoo.com/

USEFUL READS:

• http://www.deyalexander.com.au/resources/uxd/form-design.html
• http://www.usability.gov/government/lssnslearned/form.html

Answer 3

If JavaScript is off, what user will see?

If steps are made with usual javascript tabs, then (only if tabs are made with a graceful degradation in mind) user will see one very long form (which isn't so user friendly).

But if it's ajax tabs (based on 5 real pages), then if JS is off user will see 5 links to five pages. Which is better, also, because you can press "back" and refill something you changed your mind about.

Generally, I believe that 5 separate pages, with links "previous" and "next", so user can leave the form not filled up to the end and come back to afterward is a best option. Perhaps some smart ajaxifying could make it somewhat easier, but only with a great thoought behind it.