> > I'm designing a simple registration process, four steps, each a small >> form. >> I want to create one page, with each step appearing below the other.. so >> the >> process sort of 'slides down' one page. > > It sounds like all you're doing is creating a single-screen version of a wizard. Some design criteria, should you take a crack at this:
1. Set expectations: make sure you tell people throughout the process how many steps there are, what step they're on now, how many more there are to go, etc. If you use an accordion design, this isn't really an issue, because the number of panels answers the question. 2. Keep them moving forward: make sure the "Next" buttons trigger the next screen state so people don't have to take a separate action to get to it. In an accordion design, for example, the Next button in one panel should collapse that panel and open the next one. 3. Keep the promises you make: if you set an expectation in the first screen state that each form will be, say, 5 or so inputs long, then keep that in tact throughout the other screen states. In other words, don't let people think that each part will be short and easy and then spring a long form on them in one of the steps. 4. Eliminate as much of the form as humanly possible. This is a registration form—it's the barrier that will stop visitors from becoming customers. *Get out of the way.* I can't stress this enough. 5. Provide feedback: use inline validation. This is a must-have form. Make sure it does everything right. I don't have an example of this I can point to without making you purchase a license to a web app you'll probably have no interest in using, but I've done this before, and it's worked very well, but only by strictly following this criteria. Hope that helps! -r- ________________________________________________________________ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ....... [email protected] Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help
