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I think that the most brilliant idea in the article is that of not using asterisks to indicate required fields. Instead put the word "Optional" in the field an
by NathanKP 17y ago
I think that the most brilliant idea in the article is that of not using asterisks to indicate required fields. Instead put the word "Optional" in the field and have it clear when the user clicks on the field. (Screenshots in the article)
That is a very elegant and simple solution.
- ams6110 17y agoIt's my gut feeling that asterisks are so commonly used to indicate required fields that most users have come to understand their meaning. Nevertheless I also like the "optional indicator in the field" idea, and I also agree with the advice in the article to only ask for required fields. In other words, if a field is optional, give strong consideration to omitting it from the form entirely.
- NathanKP 17y agoIf a field is optional, give strong consideration to omitting it from the form entirely. I totally agree. In that case less is more. You want users to go through a sign up form quickly and be able to get started. You can always provide a settings panel on the other side for adding extra, optional information. By keeping those fields off the signup form you make things easy and fast for new users.
- araneae 17y agoI understand the meaning, but somehow I still don't always see them. I still frequently get complained at by webforms for not filling stuff in. So again; this solution is awesome.