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Gone
are the days of static, one-dimensional paper forms. Now, with
myForm, our designers can create electronic online forms with more
functionality and intelligence, including the ability to perform
conditional logic functions. With myForm we can create virtually any kind
of PHP Web forms, including contact forms, information request
forms, registration forms, order forms, surveys, polls,
questionnaires, multi-page forms - anything to help your
customers tell you what they need. You can have complex input
fields and field validations, completely customizable email
templates, and language files, and many other useful features.
All the data can be sent to you via email and forwarded to CSV*
databases.
After links, forms are the controls we use most
frequently to interact with the Web. As with links, forms need,
above all else, to be operable. An operable form is one that can be
completed successfully without error, with ease and minimal
frustration. If a user can successfully place an order, apply for an
account, or request information, then the form design is successful.
Those are the forms we create.
You are the most important part of good
form design.
We do not supply 'canned' forms. We will work
with you to produce what you and your users require in a form.
In many respects, although we do the work, you become the
designer. You need to understand your form needs so that we
can create it.
An important aspect of form design is labeling. Form
elements must be clearly labeled so users know what information is
required. Good labels help users understand what information to
provide and reduce the margin for error. Appropriate use of form
elements is also an important factor. Designers often use form
elements such as dropdown menus to ensure data integrity, such as
having users choose from a menu rather than typing it into a text
field. However, dropdown menus can become unwieldy when there are
more than 10 items in the list.
In general, good form design is a process of
simplification and clarification. When designing a Web form, include
only the essential elements, and make sure they are clearly
described. Use the form element best suited to collecting the
necessary information, always from the viewpoint of the user.
Here are some additional suggestions for effective form
design:
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? Use simple language. Clearly communicate what information is
being requested.
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? Provide full details. If a field requires a lengthy
description, don’t skimp on details to conserve screen space.
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? Use appropriate language. Do not use “surname” or “family
name” if “last name” will be more broadly understood.
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? Provide examples.
When information must be entered in a certain format—such as the
date format DD/MM/YY for day, month, year—explain the
requirements and provide an example for users to follow. If a
credit card should be typed without dashes, tell the user.
Don't make them use the trial and error method.
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? Mark required fields. Clearly indicate which fields are
required for form submission. Make sure required fields are
truly necessary to the task.
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? Follow a logical flow. Follow established conventions for
gathering information, such as title, first name, last name,
company, street address, city, state/province, and so on. For
keyboard-only users, make sure the tab order is the same as the
visual order of form elements.
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? Group related elements. Create sections of elements that
relate to the same category, such as personal information,
contact information, billing information, and so on.
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? Avoid redundancy. Do not ask users to enter the same
information more than once. If the same information might apply
in multiple contexts, such as an address for shipping and
billing, allow users to indicate that the same information
applies.
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*The CSV file is used for the digital storage of
data structured in a table of lists form, where each associated
item (member) in a group is in association with others also
separated by the commas of its set. Each line in the CSV file
corresponds to a row in the table. Within a line, fields are
separated by commas, each field belonging to one table column.
CSV files are often used for moving tabular data between two
different computer programs, for example between a database
program and a spreadsheet program.
myForm Sample
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