What is a Multi-Step Form?
A multi-step form is a type of form that divides a long or complex process into several smaller, more manageable sections or steps
Instead of bombarding users with all the questions at once, you break the process into smaller, manageable sections. This makes the experience more user-friendly and boosts their chances of completing it.
Perfect for:
- registrations,
- applications, or
- detailed surveys,
multi-step forms keep users engaged and focused, leading to better responses and higher completion rates.
How to Create a Multi-Step Form
We’ll touch upon two different methods for creating a multi-step form for your business and different activities that will help you boost and engage.
Method 1. Create a Multi-Step Form with Coding
It is not rocket science to create a multi-step form by coding, but there are some steps that you should take.
You need to be careful when you create your form and embed it on your website.
Therefore, let’s have a look at the process:
Step 1: Add HTML
Create your form with multiple "tab" divs for each step.
<form id="regForm" action="">
<div class="tab">Name:
<p><input placeholder="First name..." oninput="this.className = ''"></p>
<p><input placeholder="Last name..." oninput="this.className = ''"></p>
</div>
<div class="tab">Contact Info:
<p><input placeholder="E-mail..." oninput="this.className = ''"></p>
<p><input placeholder="Phone..." oninput="this.className = ''"></p>
</div>
<div class="tab">Birthday:
<p><input placeholder="dd" oninput="this.className = ''"></p>
<p><input placeholder="mm" oninput="this.className = ''"></p>
<p><input placeholder="yyyy" oninput="this.className = ''"></p>
</div>
<div class="tab">Login Info:
<p><input placeholder="Username..." oninput="this.className = ''"></p>
<p><input placeholder="Password..." oninput="this.className = ''"></p>
</div>
<div style="overflow:auto;">
<div style="float:right;">
<button type="button" id="prevBtn" onclick="nextPrev(-1)">Previous</button>
<button type="button" id="nextBtn" onclick="nextPrev(1)">Next</button>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align:center;margin-top:40px;">
<span class="step"></span>
<span class="step"></span>
<span class="step"></span>
<span class="step"></span>
</div>
</form>
Step 2: Add CSS
Style the form elements to enhance the user experience.
#regForm {
background-color: #ffffff;
margin: 100px auto;
padding: 40px;
width: 70%;
min-width: 300px;
}
input {
padding: 10px;
width: 100%;
font-size: 17px;
border: 1px solid #aaaaaa;
}
.tab {
display: none;
}
.step {
height: 15px;
width: 15px;
margin: 0 2px;
background-color: #bbbbbb;
border-radius: 50%;
display: inline-block;
opacity: 0.5;
}
.step.active {
opacity: 1;
}
.step.finish {
background-color: #04AA6D;
}
Step 3: Add JavaScript
Implement the logic for navigation between steps and form validation.
var currentTab = 0;
showTab(currentTab);
function showTab(n) {
var x = document.getElementsByClassName("tab");
x[n].style.display = "block";
if (n == 0) {
document.getElementById("prevBtn").style.display = "none";
} else {
document.getElementById("prevBtn").style.display = "inline";
}
if (n == (x.length - 1)) {
document.getElementById("nextBtn").innerHTML = "Submit";
} else {
document.getElementById("nextBtn").innerHTML = "Next";
}
fixStepIndicator(n);
}
function nextPrev(n) {
var x = document.getElementsByClassName("tab");
if (n == 1 && !validateForm()) return false;
x[currentTab].style.display = "none";
currentTab = currentTab + n;
if (currentTab >= x.length) {
document.getElementById("regForm").submit();
return false;
}
showTab(currentTab);
}
function validateForm() {
var x, y, i, valid = true;
x = document.getElementsByClassName("tab");
y = x[currentTab].getElementsByTagName("input");
for (i = 0; i < y.length; i++) {
if (y[i].value == "") {
y[i].className += " invalid";
valid = false;
}
}
if (valid) {
document.getElementsByClassName("step")[currentTab].className += " finish";
}
return valid;
}
function fixStepIndicator(n) {
var i, x = document.getElementsByClassName("step");
for (i = 0; i < x.length; i++) {
x[i].className = x[i].className.replace(" active", "");
}
x[n].className += " active";
}
This is how you can build a multi-step form with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Method 2. Create Multi-Step Form with Popupsmart in Minutes
On the other hand, Popupsmart makes it easy to create multi-step forms to enhance engagement and capture more information from your visitors.
Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide to help you set up a multi-step form using the no-code popup builder Popupsmart:
Step 1: Choose a Multi-Step Popup Template
When you create a new campaign, go to the Playbook step and use the “Multistep” filter to find and select a pre-designed multi-step popup template.
📝 Side note: If you want to create your multi-step popup by yourself, you can add a new step from the + icon at the top and customize it as well.
Step 2: Customize your Multi-Step Form Popup
To create unity, customize the look of each step of your multi-step form popup. You can adjust all details to match your branding.
Also, you can customize the steps independently from each other.
Step 3: Style Your Popup
Adjust the style of your popup by changing the style of the elements you use.
Step 4: Determine the Segment
For targeting your audience directly, you can determine the segment in terms of audience, user behaviour, and frequency settings.
Step 5: Finalize and Publish
Review your multi-step popup and “Publish” to make your multi-step form live.
Note: Your multi-step form can have as many steps as needed according to your business requirements and campaign goals. Adjust each step's settings and appearance for a seamless user experience.
Top 5 Multi-Step Form Examples
The following top 5 multi-step form examples effectively demonstrate how the brand aims to understand the needs of potential customers and create solutions.
Now, let’s have a look at them and better understand the use of multi-step forms.
1. QuizRise
QuizRise is an AI quiz generator that helps you create questions for your tests, quizzes, and examples.
The multi-step form welcomes you when you register for the app during onboarding.
The app needs your role and then tries to get to know your primary goal for using the app.
It does not bore new users, provides a smooth transition at the start, and creates a classroom for your activities.
2. Duolingo
Duolingo is one of the most well-known language learning apps that lead users through the step-by-step learning process.
Duolingo presents a multi-step form on the homepage by asking you your target language to learn.
Then, there comes questions, like how you heard about Duolingo, how your time fits, your language level and so.
These questions help Duolingo get to know the learner better and create a working flow.
Though it is a very comprehensive approach, Duolingo’s multi-step form is longer than QuizRise’s form.
3. GEICO
GEICO is an insurance company that creates quotes based on your criteria and the details you provide.
To provide details, visitors fill out the form step-by-step and finally reach the result that is most appropriate for them.
The homepage presents buttons to get the quote practically.
There are not many questions, and the length of the multi-step form is average.
4. Airbnb
Airbnb is a marketplace that provides estates and residents for vacations and more.
The multi-step form for Airbnb your house is quite an efficient guide.
Firstly, you need to get the estimation for the location, and then you can start the process of filling in the form.
5. KlientBoost
KlientBoost is a performance marketing agency that creates exclusive marketing campaigns and solutions.
The brand offers a free marketing plan on the homepage and collects the answers from the firms.
Based on the answers, the brand shares the plan by considering all your needs.
5 Effective Multi-Step Form Templates
Popupsmart has different multi-step form templates that can help you create your own forms by customizing them.
Here are the top five multi-step form templates we choose for you or you can check Popupsmart Popup Playbook for other templates.
→ 1. Free Sample on Orders Multi-Step Popup
With this popup, you can try giving product samples for over a certain amount of purchase.
You can also change the amount based on your expectations by customizing your popup.
→ 2. Click-to-Call Multi-Step Popup
Here is a better example of a multi-step form because each question serves, and the visitors don’t bother filling in the form since they are effective.
→ 3. Multi-Step Popup to Collect Form Submission
This popup is directly about collecting form submissions and providing a related solution for visitors with questions that want detailed information to learn better.
→ 4. Multi-Step Popup to Collect Job Applications
This multi-step popup sample is for job applications to display that creating pages for job applications is not necessary, but multi-step popups can also be a solution for you to choose from.
→ 5. Customer Satisfaction Multi-Step Popup
This multi-step form is for gaining attention and providing feedback form. Since providing feedback is voluntary, the popup asks, and then the steps provide different types of questions to collect forms without disturbing them.
Why Use Multi-Step Form
How Multi-Step Forms Increase Conversion
Multi-step forms can significantly boost conversion rates by enhancing the overall user experience.
→ By breaking down a lengthy form into smaller, digestible sections, users are less likely to feel overwhelmed and more likely to complete the process.
→ This structured approach also allows for better information organization, logical flow, and clear progress indicators, all of which contribute to a higher completion rate.
→ Additionally, multi-step forms reduce cognitive load, making the form-filling experience more manageable and enjoyable.
Use Case for Multi-Step Form’s Increasing Conversion
An online education platform offers a variety of courses. Previously, they used a single-page form for course registration, which included multiple fields for personal information, course preferences, payment details, and more. Many users abandoned the form halfway due to its length and complexity.
The organization decided to implement a multi-step form to improve the registration process. Here’s how they structured it:
Step 1: Personal Information: First Name, Last Name, Email Address
Step 2: Course Selection: Select Course(s) of Interest, Preferred Learning Schedule
Step 3: Payment Information: Credit Card Details, Billing Address
Step 4: Confirmation: Review Details, Submit
By breaking the form into four clear and manageable steps, users found the registration process much easier to navigate.
The progress indicators reassured them of their advancement, and the logical flow kept them engaged. As a result, they saw great impact on completed registrations and a significant reduction in form abandonment rates.
Using a multi-step form improved the user experience, which translated directly into higher conversions and more enrolled students.
Also, you can adapt this kind of process for different sectors as well, like:
- E-commerce: Streamlining the checkout process.
- Healthcare: Collecting detailed patient information.
- Event Management: Managing complex event registrations.
- Real Estate: Gathering comprehensive client details.
To Conclude
Multi-step forms represent a revolution in user interaction, simplifying complex data inputs into manageable steps.
By properly choosing the right solution, you can significantly enhance your platform's user journey and overall user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Multi-Step Forms vs. Single-Step Forms: Which is Better?
Multi-step forms are often better. They break long forms into manageable steps, reducing user fatigue and boosting completion rates. This approach keeps users engaged and is ideal for detailed information collection. While single-step forms are fine for short tasks, multi-step forms generally enhance user experience and increase conversions.
How do multi-step forms impact mobile user experience?
Multi-step forms are particularly effective on mobile devices. They reduce the need for excessive scrolling and make it easier for users to input information on smaller screens. This enhances the overall mobile user experience and can lead to higher form completion rates.
What are some common mistakes to avoid when creating multi-step forms?
Common mistakes to avoid include making each step too long or complex, not providing clear navigation or progress indicators, failing to optimize the form for mobile devices, overloading users with too many fields in a single step, and neglecting to test the form for usability and functionality before going live.
How do I ensure the security of data collected through multi-step forms?
To ensure the security of data collected through multi-step forms, you can use HTTPS to encrypt data transmission, implement validation and sanitization to prevent SQL injection and other attacks, regularly update your form software and plugins, and store data securely and comply with relevant data protection regulations.
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