Multi-step forms

What is a multi-step form?

A multi-step form divides a long form into several smaller sections, each one appearing on its own page or screen. The goal is to guide users through a logical sequence of steps, reducing the cognitive load and allowing them to focus on one thing at a time.

Multi-step forms can be used for product customization or any form of data collection where multiple pieces of information are required.

Improve user experience

One of the most significant advantages of multi-step forms is their ability to create a more organized and user-friendly experience. By breaking up a long form into smaller, digestible sections, customers are less likely to feel overwhelmed. This leads to increased engagement and, ultimately, more successful form submissions.

Boost conversion rates

Long, complex forms often lead to high abandonment rates. With a multi-step form, you make the process feel less daunting. The user can focus on completing one section at a time, which encourages them to move through the process without distractions or frustration. This can significantly boost your conversion rates, whether it’s for a checkout, a lead form, or a custom product configuration.

Increase clarity and focus

With a multi-step form, each page or section typically focuses on one set of related questions, helping to maintain clarity and reduce confusion. For instance, asking for shipping details only after billing information has been entered ensures that the user isn’t distracted by unrelated fields.

Enhance mobile experience

Forms that are too long on mobile screens can be a challenge for users to navigate. multi-step forms make the process more fluid and mobile-friendly by only displaying a few fields at a time. This reduces the need for excessive scrolling and creates a more pleasant experience for mobile shoppers.

Increase sales and reduce cart abandonment

In eCommerce, cart abandonment is a common issue, especially during the checkout process. Multi-step forms can help reduce abandonment by making the checkout process feel faster and less overwhelming. By clearly showing progress (e.g., “Step 2 of 4”), customers feel more confident and less likely to abandon the process midway.

How to set up multi-step forms in WCB

WooCommerce doesn’t include multi-step forms by default, but you can easily add this functionality through plugins or custom development. Here’s how you can get started:

Step 1: Install and activate WP Configurator Builder plugin

Note: Make sure to get the advanced form fields add-on to be able to split up your form into multiple steps.

Once you’ve installed your plugin, you can start setting up your multi-step form.

Step 2: Create your multi step form

Add steps: Using your plugin’s interface, divide the fields into logical steps. Each step should focus on a related set of fields, and you can typically add buttons like “Next” or “Previous” to navigate between steps.
Set conditional logic (Optional): Many multi-step form plugins allow you to add conditional logic. This means certain fields can be shown or hidden based on user selections. For example, if a customer selects “Express Shipping,” additional shipping options can be displayed.
Add progress bars: To help customers visualize their progress through the form, enable progress bars or step indicators. For example, you might show “Step 2 of 4” to indicate how many steps are remaining.

Step 3: Customize your form’s design

Make sure the multi-step form aligns with your store’s branding and provides a seamless experience across both desktop and mobile devices. Most plugins allow you to customize button styles, form layouts, and other design elements.

Step 4: Test the form

Before going live, test the form to ensure the navigation, progress indicators, and form field logic are working as expected. Try completing the form yourself and ask others to test it as well to gather feedback and identify any areas for improvement.

Keep steps simple and focused

Each step in the form should be simple and focus on one specific task. Avoid putting too many fields in one step, as this could overwhelm the user. For example, if you’re creating a checkout process, don’t mix billing and shipping information on the same step. Keep them separate to maintain clarity.

Provide a progress indicator

Showing users where they are in the form process is crucial. A progress bar or step indicator like “Step 1 of 3” makes users feel like they’re moving toward the end goal and reassures them that they’re making progress.

Offer save and continue later options

If the form is long or complex (e.g., a custom product configuration), allow users to save their progress and continue later. This reduces the risk of abandonment and gives users flexibility, especially if they’re interrupted during the process.

Ensure mobile-friendliness

Multi-step forms should be designed with mobile devices in mind. Ensure that the steps are easy to navigate on smaller screens, with clickable buttons and minimal scrolling required. Mobile users are often more likely to abandon forms if the process is clunky or hard to read.

Use clear, concise instructions

Provide clear instructions at the beginning of each step to help users understand what they need to do next. For example, “Please enter your shipping address,” or “Choose your preferred payment method.”

Minimize form fields

Ask for only the most essential information in each step. Avoid unnecessary fields that can make the form seem long or intrusive. The more concise the form, the higher the chance users will complete it.