Form Optimization

Reduce abandonment in every form, signup, and checkout flow.

How to use

• /form-optimization Apply form optimization constraints to this conversation.

Constraints

Field Reduction

• MUST justify every field. If you can't explain why it's needed now, remove it.
• SHOULD collect the minimum at signup, gather the rest during onboarding
• Name fields: only ask if you'll use the name in the product experience
• Phone number: only ask if you'll actually call or text them
• NEVER ask for information you can infer or look up

Multi-Step Logic

• Break forms with 5+ fields into steps
• Show progress: "Step 2 of 3" with a visual indicator
• Group related fields in the same step
• MUST save progress between steps (don't lose data on back navigation)
• Final step should feel like a confirmation, not another form

Validation

• MUST validate inline (as the user completes each field, not on submit)
• Error messages MUST say what went wrong AND how to fix it
• NEVER clear the form on submission error
• SHOULD use positive confirmation (green checkmark) for valid fields
• Password requirements: show them before the user types, not after they fail

Micro-Copy

• Labels above fields, not inside (placeholders disappear and confuse)
• Help text below fields for anything non-obvious
• Button text should describe the outcome: "Create account" not "Submit"
• MUST show what happens after submission ("We'll email you a confirmation")