Highlight input format with placeholders

Why Adding Placeholders to Forms Improves the User Experience

When designing forms for your website or application, it’s important to consider the user experience. One effective way to improve the usability of your forms is by adding placeholders. Here’s why and how to use them effectively:

• Provide context and guidance: Placeholders give users a clear idea of what type of input is expected in a field, such as an example of the format for a phone number or email address. This can help users input their information correctly the first time, reducing errors and frustration.

• Clarify the purpose of a field: In some cases, the label of a field may not provide enough information to the user. A placeholder can provide additional context and clarify the purpose of the field, such as specifying what type of title should be entered.

• Use placeholders sparingly: Too many placeholders can clutter the form and make it difficult to read. Only use placeholders when necessary to provide context or guidance.

• Make placeholders distinguishable: Use a lighter font and a different color to make it clear that the text is not the user’s input. This will help users distinguish between the placeholder text and their own input.

• Ensure placeholders disappear: Make sure the placeholder text disappears when the user starts typing so that they are not confused or distracted by the example text while entering their own information.

In conclusion, adding placeholders to your forms can significantly improve the user experience by providing context and guidance, clarifying the purpose of a field, and reducing errors and frustration. By using placeholders sparingly, making them distinguishable from actual input, and ensuring they disappear when the user starts typing, designers can create more user-friendly and accessible forms for their users.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Hi! Thanks for reading my blog. If you’re looking for a product designer who can help you bring your product to life, I’d love to hear from you! Whether you need help with UX design systems, user research, or anything in between, I’m here to help. And if you’re not looking to hire a designer, that’s okay too — just remember to always prioritize the user in your design process, and don’t be afraid to experiment with new ideas and approaches. And if you’re ever in need of a good UX joke or pun, feel free to reach out — I’ve got plenty in my arsenal!