Be careful with error messages
Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2025 5:21 am
Whether you use built-in validation or not, it is vital that the user is promptly notified of any errors they make. If you don't, your service will leave a bad impression and you may end up losing a lot of potential customers.
Please note how the error notification system is implemented on the Meetup . com (social networking site). In this case, the postal code field is filled in incorrectly:
Meetup
It is important to ensure that the contents of fields sweden phone number data already filled in by the user do not change even after the form is submitted and an error message appears. If the form is reset after each reload, it is likely that no one will fill it in.
3. Be tactful when reporting errors
It's clear as day: people don't like error messages.
Smashing Magazine reports that “even if a person filled out 90% of a lead form correctly, but after submitting it and reloading the page they see an error message, they will feel as if they never filled out anything.”
First of all, don't use words with negative connotations. Throw all phrases like "mistake" and "wrong" out of your head.
The worst thing you can do is make someone feel like they're not smart enough to fill out your form (which is probably too confusing to begin with). Instead of focusing on the user's mistakes, offer a solution.
Keep in mind that people will always make mistakes. While additional explanations of lead form fields and built-in validation can help avoid many problems, it is vital to keep the communication that occurs during the form filling process polite and friendly.
Below is an example where everything is done correctly. Note how Google informs its users about the mistakes they have made:
Please note how the error notification system is implemented on the Meetup . com (social networking site). In this case, the postal code field is filled in incorrectly:
Meetup
It is important to ensure that the contents of fields sweden phone number data already filled in by the user do not change even after the form is submitted and an error message appears. If the form is reset after each reload, it is likely that no one will fill it in.
3. Be tactful when reporting errors
It's clear as day: people don't like error messages.
Smashing Magazine reports that “even if a person filled out 90% of a lead form correctly, but after submitting it and reloading the page they see an error message, they will feel as if they never filled out anything.”
First of all, don't use words with negative connotations. Throw all phrases like "mistake" and "wrong" out of your head.
The worst thing you can do is make someone feel like they're not smart enough to fill out your form (which is probably too confusing to begin with). Instead of focusing on the user's mistakes, offer a solution.
Keep in mind that people will always make mistakes. While additional explanations of lead form fields and built-in validation can help avoid many problems, it is vital to keep the communication that occurs during the form filling process polite and friendly.
Below is an example where everything is done correctly. Note how Google informs its users about the mistakes they have made: