Greedy forms are web forms that require users to provide excessive amounts of information in order to complete them. This can be frustrating for users, who may feel that their privacy is being invaded or that the form is taking up too much of their time.
Greedy Web Forms
Greedy forms often ask for information that is not strictly necessary for the purpose of the form. For example, a simple contact form might ask for a user’s name, email address, and message. A greedy version of this form might also ask for the user’s phone number, mailing address, and company name, even if these details are not necessary for the user to receive a response.
Users may be reluctant to give over certain information in greedy forms for a variety of reasons. One common concern is privacy – users may be hesitant to give out personal information that could be used for identity theft, spam, or other unwanted marketing purposes. They may also be wary of sharing information that could be used to track their online behaviour or location.
Negative Impact
When users are reluctant to provide information, this can have a negative impact on conversion rates and submissions. Users may abandon the form before completing it, or they may provide inaccurate or incomplete information in order to get through the form more quickly. This can lead to incomplete or inaccurate leads or sales data, as well as a poor user experience that can damage the reputation of the business.
Storing Personal Information
Storing sensitive information, such as personal data, financial information, or health records, comes with a great deal of responsibility. If this information is mishandled or falls into the wrong hands, it can lead to identity theft, financial fraud, or other serious consequences. For this reason, businesses that collect and store sensitive information have a legal and ethical obligation to protect it.
Under GDPR rules, businesses must obtain explicit and informed consent from individuals before collecting and processing their personal data. They must also be transparent about the purpose for which the data is being collected and how it will be used. Businesses must take appropriate measures to protect the data from unauthorised access, loss, or theft, and they must notify individuals in the event of a data breach.
If a business is found to be in violation of GDPR rules, it can face significant fines and legal penalties. In addition, violations can damage the business’s reputation and erode customer trust.
To avoid creating a greedy form, we should focus on only asking for the information that is strictly necessary for the purpose of the form. They should also consider using progressive disclosure techniques, where additional questions or fields are revealed only if the user needs to provide more information. By doing so, web designers can create forms that are more user-friendly and less likely to be abandoned.