T05. Online form template

Release notes

Overview

The online form is a reusable template that enables a user to fill out a single-page form and submit it to Legal Aid.

This page provides some guidance on how a form can be built and designed on the website. See P05. Forms (Complaint form) as an example the online form in action.

Application:

This template can be applied to existing forms such as:

• Request a talk: https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/what-we-do/workshops/request-a-talk

• Complaint form: see P05. Forms (Complaint form)

Guidelines for creating a new form

Our principles

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What fields can a form include?

• Short text boxes - used for fields like name or phone number

• Long text boxes - used for fields like users typing a description

• Dropdown - users select from a list of predefined options (only one can be selected with the other selections hidden)

• Radio buttons - users select from a multiple choice list (only one can be selected) All options are shown. Denoted by a circle.

• Checkboxes - users can select multiple options from a multiple choice list. Denoted by a square box.

• Date picker - users can select a date from a calendar

• Verification - users verify they are not a bot

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Tips for creating a great forms experience

• Progressive reveal: if a question relies on the user selecting a certain answer, wait for the user to select it before showing the question. This will reduce the perceived length of the form and make it less overwhelming for users.

• Remove ambiguity: remove any ambiguity around what the question is asking the user. If required, find a simpler term, always use the simpler explanation or provide additional context around it. You can sense check questions using this language checker: Hemingway Editor to improve readability scores.

Business rules

Note: the following business rules can be applied to all online forms

Designs

See P05. Forms (Complaint form) for an example of forms in action.