Single-step forms versus multi-step forms

Single-step forms versus multi-step forms

Splitting your forms into two or three steps will almost always increase form completion. There are three reasons why multi-step forms work well:
  1. The first impression is less intimidating than a long form with lots of question fields.
  2. By asking for sensitive information (email, phone) on the final step of a multi-step form, users are more likely to fill out these fields – otherwise they lose the progress made by filling out the previous steps (this is a proven cognitive bias known as the ‘sunk cost fallacy’).
  3. By seeing a progress bar, users are more motivated to complete the form. This is, again, based on numerous proven cognitive biases such as the endowed progress effect.