How do you handle validation errors and messages in Sitecore web forms?

2 Custom validation logic

Sometimes, you may need to implement more complex or specific validation logic that the built-in features cannot handle. For example, you may want to check the availability of a username, or validate the format of an email address, or compare two fields in a different way. In these cases, you can use custom validation logic in Sitecore web forms. To use custom validation logic, you need to create a custom validator control and write your own code behind it. You can use the ServerValidate event handler to perform your validation logic and set the IsValid property to true or false accordingly.

3 Custom error messages

Another aspect of handling validation errors and messages in Sitecore web forms is to customize the error messages that the user sees. By default, Sitecore web forms use generic error messages that may not be clear, relevant, or consistent with your brand voice. To customize the error messages, you have two options: using the ErrorMessage property or using the Dictionary. The ErrorMessage property allows you to set a specific error message for each validator control. The Dictionary allows you to store and manage your error messages in a central place and use them across multiple forms and languages.

4 Best practices for validation errors and messages

When handling validation errors and messages in Sitecore web forms, there are some best practices to improve user experience and conversion rate. Make sure your error messages are clear, concise, and friendly. Additionally, ensure that the style and format of your error messages remain consistent across all forms and the website. It is also important to use appropriate colors and fonts for your error messages to make them visible and distinguishable from the rest of the form. Finally, provide validation feedback as soon as possible, preferably before the user submits the form, to prevent unnecessary errors and delays.

5 Benefits of handling validation errors and messages

By handling validation errors and messages effectively in Sitecore web forms, you can achieve a range of benefits for your website and business. This includes improving user experience and satisfaction through making forms easy to use and understand, increasing conversion rate and lead generation by reducing the drop-off and bounce rate of forms, ensuring data quality and security by preventing invalid, incomplete, or malicious inputs, as well as complying with business rules and standards by enforcing validation criteria and logic.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?