/iblai-marketing-form-cro

Maximize form completion rates while capturing only the data that matters.

Step 0: Context Check

Read .agents/product-marketing-context.md (or .claude/product-marketing-context.md on older setups) first. Only ask for what isn't there.

Identify before optimizing:

1. Form type

- Lead capture (gated content, newsletter) - Contact - Demo/sales request - Application - Survey/feedback - Checkout - Quote request

1. Current state

- Field count - Current completion rate - Mobile vs. desktop split - Where users abandon

1. Business context

- What happens with submissions - Which fields actually get used in follow-up - Compliance / legal requirements

Core Principles

1. Every Field Has a Cost

Each field reduces completion. Rule of thumb:

• 3 fields: baseline
• 4-6 fields: 10-25% reduction
• 7+ fields: 25-50%+ reduction

Per field, ask:

• Absolutely necessary before we can help them?
• Can we get this info another way?
• Can we ask for it later?

2. Value Must Exceed Effort

• Clear value prop above the form
• Make what they get obvious
• Reduce perceived effort (field count, labels)

3. Reduce Cognitive Load

• One question per field
• Clear, conversational labels
• Logical grouping and order
• Smart defaults where possible

Field-by-Field Optimization

Email

• Single field, no confirmation
• Inline validation
• Typo detection ("did you mean gmail.com?")
• Proper mobile keyboard

Name

• Single "Name" vs. First/Last — test it
• Single field reduces friction
• Split only if personalization requires it

Phone Number

• Make optional if possible
• If required, explain why
• Auto-format as they type
• Country code handling

Company/Organization

• Auto-suggest for faster entry
• Enrichment after submission (Clearbit, etc.)
• Consider inferring from email domain

Job Title/Role

• Dropdown if categories matter
• Free text if wide variation
• Consider making optional

Message/Comments (Free Text)

• Make optional
• Reasonable character guidance
• Expand on focus

Dropdown Selects

• "Select one..." placeholder
• Searchable if many options
• Radio buttons if < 5 options
• "Other" option with text field

Checkboxes (Multi-Select)

• Clear, parallel labels
• Reasonable number of options
• "Select all that apply" instruction

Form Layout

Field Order

1. Start with easiest fields (name, email)
2. Build commitment before asking more
3. Sensitive fields last (phone, company size)
4. Logical grouping when many fields

Labels and Placeholders

• Labels: keep visible (not just placeholder) — placeholders disappear when typing, leaving users unsure what they're filling
• Placeholders: examples, not labels
• Help text: only when genuinely helpful

Good:

Email
[[email protected]]

Bad:

[Enter your email address]  ← Disappears on focus

Visual Design

• Sufficient spacing between fields
• Clear visual hierarchy
• CTA button stands out
• Mobile-friendly tap targets (44px+)

Single Column vs. Multi-Column

• Single column: higher completion, mobile-friendly
• Multi-column: only for short related fields (First/Last name)
• When in doubt, single column

Multi-Step Forms

When to Use

• More than 5-6 fields
• Logically distinct sections
• Conditional paths based on answers
• Complex forms (applications, quotes)

Best Practices

• Progress indicator (step X of Y)
• Start easy, end sensitive
• One topic per step
• Allow back navigation
• Save progress (don't lose data on refresh)
• Indicate required vs. optional clearly

Progressive Commitment Pattern

1. Low-friction start (just email)
2. More detail (name, company)
3. Qualifying questions
4. Contact preferences

Error Handling

Inline Validation

• Validate as they leave a field
• Don't validate too aggressively while typing
• Clear visual indicators (green check, red border)

Error Messages

• Specific to the problem
• Suggest how to fix
• Positioned near the field
• Don't clear their input

Good: "Please enter a valid email address (e.g., [email protected])" Bad: "Invalid input"

On Submit

• Focus on first error field
• Summarize errors if multiple
• Preserve all entered data
• Don't clear the form on error

Submit Button

Copy

Weak: "Submit" | "Send" Strong: "[Action] + [What they get]"

Examples:

• "Get My Free Quote"
• "Download the Guide"
• "Request Demo"
• "Send Message"
• "Start Free Trial"

Placement

• Immediately after the last field
• Left-aligned with fields
• Sufficient size and contrast
• Mobile: sticky or clearly visible

Post-Submit States

• Loading state (disable button, show spinner)
• Success confirmation (clear next steps)
• Error handling (clear message, focus on issue)

Trust and Friction Reduction

Near the Form

• Privacy statement: "We'll never share your info"
• Security badges if collecting sensitive data
• Testimonial or social proof
• Expected response time

Reducing Perceived Effort

• "Takes 30 seconds"
• Field count indicator
• Remove visual clutter
• Generous white space

Addressing Objections

• "No spam, unsubscribe anytime"
• "We won't share your number"
• "No credit card required"

Form Types: Specific Guidance

Lead Capture (Gated Content)

• Minimum viable fields (often just email)
• Clear value prop for what they get
• Ask enrichment questions post-download
• Test email-only vs. email + name

Contact Form

• Essential: email/name + message
• Phone optional
• Set response time expectations
• Offer alternatives (chat, phone)

Demo Request

• Name, email, company required
• Phone optional with "preferred contact" choice
• Use case/goal question helps personalize
• Calendar embed can increase show rate

Quote/Estimate Request

• Multi-step often works well
• Start with easy questions
• Technical details later
• Save progress for complex forms

Survey Forms

• Progress bar essential
• One question per screen
• Skip logic for relevance
• Consider an incentive for completion

Mobile

• Larger touch targets (44px minimum height)
• Appropriate keyboard types (email, tel, number)
• Autofill support
• Single column only
• Sticky submit button
• Minimal typing (dropdowns, buttons)

Measurement

Key Metrics

• Form start rate: Page views → Started form
• Completion rate: Started → Submitted
• Field drop-off: Which fields lose people
• Error rate: By field
• Time to complete: Total and by field
• Mobile vs. desktop: Completion by device

What to Track

• Form views
• First field focus
• Each field completion
• Errors by field
• Submit attempts
• Successful submissions

Output Format

Form Audit

Per issue:

• Issue: what's wrong
• Impact: estimated effect on conversions
• Fix: specific recommendation
• Priority: High/Medium/Low

Recommended Form Design

• Required fields: justified list
• Optional fields: with rationale
• Field order: recommended sequence
• Copy: labels, placeholders, button
• Error messages: per field
• Layout: visual guidance

Test Hypotheses

Ideas to A/B test with expected outcomes.

Experiment Ideas

Form Structure

Layout & Flow

• Single-step vs. multi-step with progress bar
• 1-column vs. 2-column field layout
• Form embedded on page vs. separate page
• Vertical vs. horizontal field alignment
• Form above fold vs. after content

Field Optimization

• Reduce to minimum viable fields
• Add or remove phone number
• Add or remove company/organization
• Required vs. optional balance
• Field enrichment to auto-fill known data
• Hide fields for returning/known visitors

Smart Forms

• Real-time validation for emails and phone numbers
• Progressive profiling (ask more over time)
• Conditional fields based on earlier answers
• Auto-suggest for company names

Copy & Design

Labels & Microcopy

• Field label clarity and length
• Placeholder text optimization
• Help text: show vs. hide vs. on-hover
• Error message tone (friendly vs. direct)

CTAs & Buttons

• Button text variations ("Submit" vs. "Get My Quote" vs. specific action)
• Button color and size
• Button placement relative to fields

Trust Elements

• Privacy assurance near form
• Trust badges next to submit
• Testimonial near form
• Expected response time

Form Type-Specific

Demo Request Forms

• With/without phone number requirement
• "Preferred contact method" choice
• "What's your biggest challenge?" question
• Calendar embed vs. form submission

Lead Capture Forms

• Email-only vs. email + name
• Value proposition messaging above form
• Gated vs. ungated content strategies
• Post-submission enrichment questions

Contact Forms

• Department/topic routing dropdown
• With/without message field requirement
• Alternative contact methods (chat, phone)
• Expected response time messaging

Mobile & UX

• Larger touch targets for mobile
• Appropriate keyboard types by field
• Sticky submit button on mobile
• Auto-focus first field on page load
• Form container styling (card vs. minimal)

Task-Specific Questions

1. Current form completion rate?
2. Field-level analytics?
3. What happens with the data after submission?
4. Which fields actually used in follow-up?
5. Compliance/legal requirements?
6. Mobile vs. desktop split?

Related Skills

• iblai-marketing-signup-flow-cro: Account creation forms
• iblai-marketing-popup-cro: Forms inside popups/modals
• iblai-marketing-page-cro: The page containing the form
• iblai-marketing-ab-test-setup: Testing form changes