Optimizing a form, field by field

Optimizing a form, field by field

Forms are where conversions go to die. I had a 7-field signup form bleeding 70% of starters. Here's the teardown order I used to claw it back:

— Count fields. Every field over 3 is a test to remove it. Phone number was killing me.
— Test multi-step vs single page. Breaking 7 fields into 3 steps lifted completion 22%.
— Replace dropdowns with buttons where the option count is under 5.
— Inline validation vs submit-then-error. Real-time wins almost always.
— Label placement: above the field, not inside it as placeholder. Placeholders vanish on focus.
— Button copy: 'Create my account' beats 'Submit' every time I've tested it.

Do these one at a time. The field-removal test usually wins biggest.

Go count your form fields. Remove one. Test it this week.