Top 10 Form Usability Tips

1. Place form labels above text fields

Users process forms more easily when labels are on top. Also, label length is not as much of an issue as with left-side labels.

2. Cluster similar types of controls

3. Use standard values to enable autofill

4. Use <select> sparingly

5. Submit buttons don't have to be "Submit" buttons

6. Use smart scripts

7. Select logical defaults, or none at all

8. For multi-page forms, give the user a progress map

9. Postbacks. Please.

10. Use design to help the user