Tips when using electronic forms

Skills Availability

Creation of an electronic form and its deployment needs specific skills. Most of the time it is found that companies struggle with a skills shortage and work overload to implement technology even after buying the necessary computer hardware and software.

Creating an electronic form requires different skills:

- Working with software installation and databases.

- Ability with words and understanding of business processes.

- Ability to design field names, preferably with some knowledge of how the fields will be used in the database.

- Working with field lengths, descriptions and validations.

- Understanding of business processes; ability to find and correct errors; working with word processors.

- Working with the web.

Most organizations find that they have these skills available but not necessarily in one person. For example, there may be someone who is good with databases, the web, and validations, and someone else who is good with word processors and understands the business processes.

You'll get the best results, quickly, if you identify people with the right skills to work together from the start.

Adapt the form for on-screen completion

Remove instructions and formatting that is only relevant to paper: For example:

- "write neatly in black ink", or "use CAPITALS".

- "please tick the box" (can't do it on-screen - say "please choose" instead).

- "use a separate sheet if more space is needed" (can't do it on-screen - consider offering an "add another page" button instead).

- ruled line underlined spaces and boxes.

Think about where to put the SEND or SUBMIT button. The best place is usually at the end of the form.

Decide whether you really need a button that throws away all the user's input. If you think that your users will definitely want to do this, then create a button that clearly states "THROW AWAY ALL MY ANSWERS".

Google forms is a great first start to creating form for your professional services firm

Edit the instructions

Most forms have far too many words.

Aim to cut half of them.

Establish rules for frequent questions

If you're only working with one form then skip this tip.

Most of us have to contend with lots of forms. If you compare a selection of them, you'll find that there are some questions that come up frequently.

For example:

- Personal details such as name, address, telephone and email address.

- Declarations and consents.

- Requests for dates such as the start date of a service.

- Official information such as a reference number from a bill.

Your work will be quicker, and it will be easier for your users if you establish some standards for how you ask for these repeated questions. For example:

- Decide on the order that you ask for names e.g. title, first name, and last name.

- Decide whether to ask for an address in a single multi-line block or whether to split it up into three or four lines.

- Decide whether to ask for the postcode first (and consider using an address lookup product) or last in the address.

- Decide if you need a portal model of personalization for forms whereby the user gets a pre-filled form with basic details already filled for him automatically.

- Cut your declaration to the absolute minimum that your lawyers will agree to, and then use it consistently.

- Work out how many characters you will accept in standard questions such as names. These will become your field lengths when you automate the form.

It saves time if you make a 'template' form that has the basic information and your most frequently asked questions set up in it. You can use the 'template' feature in Word, or just have a basic starting document that you copy for each form.

@2smallbiz This is very useful and you have highlighted the main points. Thank you.