Forms and surveys are essential tools for collecting user feedback, data, and preferences in content management systems (CMS). However, not all forms and surveys are equally accessible and user-friendly. In this article, you will learn some of the best ways to design accessible forms and surveys in CMS, based on the principles of web accessibility and user experience.
The first step to design accessible forms and surveys in CMS is to choose a CMS that supports accessibility features and standards. Some CMS platforms have built-in tools and templates for creating forms and surveys that follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which are the international standards for web accessibility. Other CMS platforms may require you to install plugins, extensions, or modules that enable you to add accessibility features to your forms and surveys. You should also check the documentation and support of your CMS platform to see how it handles accessibility issues and updates.
In designing accessible forms and surveys within a Content Management System (CMS), you need to prioritize simplicity and clarity. Utilize clear, concise language and avoid jargon. Incorporate descriptive labels and instructions, ensuring they are easily understandable for all users, including those with disabilities. Implement logical and intuitive navigation to enhance user experience. Additionally, provide options for users to adjust text size and contrast settings for improved readability. Regularly test your forms and surveys with diverse user groups to identify and address any accessibility barriers.
If you're taking forms and surveys seriously (and you should) it is worth investing in a proper tool - whether that's a plug-in, module, or entirely separate service. You want the flexibility and ease of use to get the job done, and you want a solution that works for both internal/external & public/private use (it's super handy to have options). Don't be satisfied with the built-in tools in your CMS or any standard "checkmark" offering from any service provider. Get a proper tool. They don't cost that much and should be getting enough use so that the cost is easily justified.
Designing accessible forms and surveys in a CMS involves several key considerations. Firstly, ensure proper use of headings, labels, and descriptive text to aid screen readers and assistive technologies. Utilize semantic HTML elements such as<fieldset> and<legend>for grouping and labeling form elements. Incorporate clear instructions and error messages for users with various abilities. When using third-party software like Typeform,verify their accessibility features and compatibility with assistive technologies. Integrate tools seamlessly into your CMS, ensuring a cohesive user experience across platforms. Regularly test your forms and surveys with accessibility tools and user testing to identify and address any potential barriers.
Designing accessible forms and surveys within a Content Management System (CMS) involves several crucial strategies. Begin by utilizing clear and uncomplicated language, incorporating alternative text for images, and ensuring proper labeling and organization of form fields. Opt for a logical and easily navigable layout to enhance user experience, and remember to test the form's accessibility using tools like screen readers. Moreover, consider offering options for keyboard navigation to cater to diverse user needs. Guarantee compatibility with various assistive technologies to further enhance accessibility for all users. These measures collectively contribute to a more inclusive and user-friendly design for forms and surveys within a CMS.
6 main steps to choosing a CMS platform Get internal support and input. ... Evaluate your current and future business needs. ... Find an implementation partner. ... Put together a shortlist and do your homework. ... Write a request for proposal. ... Evaluate vendor responses.
The second step to design accessible forms and surveys in CMS is to use clear and concise labels for your form fields and survey questions. Labels are the text that describe what information or input is expected from the user. Labels should be short, simple, and descriptive, and avoid jargon, abbreviations, and acronyms that may confuse the user. Labels should also be positioned close to the form fields and survey questions, and use a consistent font size, color, and style. Labels help users to understand the purpose and context of your forms and surveys, and also help screen readers and other assistive technologies to read and navigate them.
Ambiguity in your field names and questions text will kill your survey and waste everyone's time. Seriously, your data will be useless. Forms and surveys are also NOT the place to test your innovative designs or "disruptive" aesthetics. It's tough enough getting people to answer your surveys, so why throw up extra barriers or make it more difficult than it needs to be? The last important point to make is FOCUS. Never ask for more data than you really need, and don't force users to answer questions which don't provide value to you. Always aim to ask the fewest questions possible.
2 Use clear and concise labels Labels should be short, simple, and descriptive, and avoid jargon, abbreviations, and acronyms that may confuse the user. Labels should also be positioned close to the form fields and survey questions, and use a consistent font size, color, and style.
The third step to design accessible forms and surveys in CMS is to provide instructions and feedback to the user. Instructions are the text that explain how to fill out or complete your forms and surveys, such as the format, length, or requirements of the input. Feedback is the text that shows the user the status or result of their input, such as validation, confirmation, or error messages. Instructions and feedback should be clear, concise, and polite, and use a different font size, color, or style from the labels. Instructions and feedback help users to avoid or correct mistakes, and also provide confirmation and reassurance that their input is received and processed.
Instructions and feedback can be useful, or even critical, in some cases. Such as whether "10/10" is the best score or the worst score. However, it is also a sign that your survey is poorly designed if you need to have multiple sentences or paragraphs to explain what you want. A way to side-step this need, while providing clear direction to your recipient, is to provide an example answer in the "correct" format you need. For example you often see this in email request fields as "[email protected]".
Traditional CMS architecture is composed of the following core elements: A back-end database where content and digital assets are stored. A back-end content management platform where content is created. A back-end application where content creators and publishers build and apply design schemas.
The fourth step to design accessible forms and surveys in CMS is to select appropriate input types and options for your form fields and survey questions. Input types are the ways that users can enter or select their input, such as text boxes, radio buttons, checkboxes, drop-down menus, sliders, or date pickers. Options are the choices that users can select from, such as yes/no, agree/disagree, or multiple choice. Input types and options should be relevant, consistent, and logical for your forms and surveys, and avoid unnecessary or confusing options. Input types and options help users to provide accurate and complete input, and also enhance the usability and functionality of your forms and surveys.
Checkboxes and radios are input types that let users select one or more options from a list. Checkboxes allow users to select multiple options, while radios allow users to select only one option. To create checkboxes and radios, you need to use the input element with the type attribute set to checkbox or radio. Three types of text input are present in HTML single-line text boxes which are also called as text fields, password input and multiple-line text areas.
The fifth step to design accessible forms and surveys in CMS is to ensure keyboard and mobile accessibility. Keyboard accessibility means that users can access and interact with your forms and surveys using only the keyboard, without the need for a mouse or a touch screen. Mobile accessibility means that users can access and interact with your forms and surveys using a mobile device, such as a smartphone or a tablet. To ensure keyboard and mobile accessibility, you should test your forms and surveys on different devices and browsers, and use HTML elements, attributes, and styles that support keyboard and mobile navigation and interaction. Keyboard and mobile accessibility help users with different preferences, abilities, and devices to access and interact with your forms and surveys.
There are two requirements for keyboard accessibility: Keyboard users must be able to access and operate all user interface elements (no mouse required). The web page must provide a clear, consistent visible focus indicator so keyboard users can always tell which element has focus.
The sixth and final step to design accessible forms and surveys in CMS is to test and evaluate your forms and surveys. Testing and evaluating your forms and surveys means that you check and measure how well they meet the accessibility and user experience standards and goals that you set for them. You can test and evaluate your forms and surveys using various methods and tools, such as accessibility checkers, user feedback, analytics, or usability testing. Testing and evaluating your forms and surveys help you to identify and fix any accessibility and user experience issues, and also improve the quality and performance of your forms and surveys.
You can test and evaluate your forms and surveys using various methods and tools, such as accessibility checkers, user feedback, analytics, or usability testing.
Simplicity is key. You should strive to make your survey as easy to answer as possible. If you're getting a poor response rate, you should really look into the reasons why. Blaming the recipient is almost (if not) never the right answer. If in doubt, test with a small group and make the necessary adjustments. Make sure your test group is empowered to answer honestly, as an "obligated" tester will always simply fill out the form without questioning whether they'd actually fill out that survey in a non-obligatory environment (such as in their personal time).
The best surveys within a CMS system is based on evidence based practices and regulations. Implement evidence-based clinical protocols and guidelines, use performance metrics to measure outcomes, and see that all staff are trained in quality improvement methodologies and are actually implementing them. Especially for topic content regarding issues like medical etc. All outcome analysis should lead to actionable steps on a realistic timeline. Further how to protect privacy. And last, it should not replace face to face surveys.
While designing such forms, keep the end user, that is, the form respondent in mind. These tips may help in getting more survey fill ups: 1. Keep the language simple, brief and avoid jargon as much as possible 2. Keep the questions direct 3. Clearly mention how many questions the form has and provide an estimate of the completion time 4. It will be great to show a progress bar so that respondents know how far they've come 5. Ensure that at form loads quickly and is highly responsive on target devices 6. Mention some contact details to reach out to in case respondents face difficulties in using the form 7. Maybe start the form by thanking the respondent for their valuable time and inputs