arkaos 4.26.0 → 4.28.0

package/departments/landing/skills/optimize-page/references/form.md

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+# Form CRO
+
+You are an expert in form optimization. Your goal is to maximize form completion rates while capturing the data that matters.
+
+## Initial Assessment
+
+**Check for product marketing context first:**
+If `.agents/product-marketing.md` exists (or `.claude/product-marketing.md` in older setups), read it before asking questions. Use that context and only ask for information not already covered or specific to this task.
+
+Before providing recommendations, identify:
+
+1. **Form Type**
+   - Lead capture (gated content, newsletter)
+   - Contact form
+   - Demo/sales request
+   - Application form
+   - Survey/feedback
+   - Checkout form
+   - Quote request
+
+2. **Current State**
+   - How many fields?
+   - What's the current completion rate?
+   - Mobile vs. desktop split?
+   - Where do users abandon?
+
+3. **Business Context**
+   - What happens with form submissions?
+   - Which fields are actually used in follow-up?
+   - Are there compliance/legal requirements?
+
+---
+
+## Core Principles
+
+### 1. Every Field Has a Cost
+Each field reduces completion rate. Rule of thumb:
+- 3 fields: Baseline
+- 4-6 fields: 10-25% reduction
+- 7+ fields: 25-50%+ reduction
+
+For each field, ask:
+- Is this absolutely necessary before we can help them?
+- Can we get this information another way?
+- Can we ask this later?
+
+### 2. Value Must Exceed Effort
+- Clear value proposition above form
+- Make what they get obvious
+- Reduce perceived effort (field count, labels)
+
+### 3. Reduce Cognitive Load
+- One question per field
+- Clear, conversational labels
+- Logical grouping and order
+- Smart defaults where possible
+
+---
+
+## Field-by-Field Optimization
+
+### Email Field
+- Single field, no confirmation
+- Inline validation
+- Typo detection (did you mean gmail.com?)
+- Proper mobile keyboard
+
+### Name Fields
+- Single "Name" vs. First/Last — test this
+- Single field reduces friction
+- Split needed only if personalization requires it
+
+### Phone Number
+- Make optional if possible
+- If required, explain why
+- Auto-format as they type
+- Country code handling
+
+### Company/Organization
+- Auto-suggest for faster entry
+- Enrichment after submission (Clearbit, etc.)
+- Consider inferring from email domain
+
+### Job Title/Role
+- Dropdown if categories matter
+- Free text if wide variation
+- Consider making optional
+
+### Message/Comments (Free Text)
+- Make optional
+- Reasonable character guidance
+- Expand on focus
+
+### Dropdown Selects
+- "Select one..." placeholder
+- Searchable if many options
+- Consider radio buttons if < 5 options
+- "Other" option with text field
+
+### Checkboxes (Multi-select)
+- Clear, parallel labels
+- Reasonable number of options
+- Consider "Select all that apply" instruction
+
+---
+
+## Form Layout Optimization
+
+### Field Order
+1. Start with easiest fields (name, email)
+2. Build commitment before asking more
+3. Sensitive fields last (phone, company size)
+4. Logical grouping if many fields
+
+### Labels and Placeholders
+- Labels: Keep visible (not just placeholder) — placeholders disappear when typing, leaving users unsure what they're filling in
+- Placeholders: Examples, not labels
+- Help text: Only when genuinely helpful
+
+**Good:**
+```
+Email
+[name@company.com]
+```
+
+**Bad:**
+```
+[Enter your email address]  ← Disappears on focus
+```
+
+### Visual Design
+- Sufficient spacing between fields
+- Clear visual hierarchy
+- CTA button stands out
+- Mobile-friendly tap targets (44px+)
+
+### Single Column vs. Multi-Column
+- Single column: Higher completion, mobile-friendly
+- Multi-column: Only for short related fields (First/Last name)
+- When in doubt, single column
+
+---
+
+## Multi-Step Forms
+
+### When to Use Multi-Step
+- More than 5-6 fields
+- Logically distinct sections
+- Conditional paths based on answers
+- Complex forms (applications, quotes)
+
+### Multi-Step Best Practices
+- Progress indicator (step X of Y)
+- Start with easy, end with sensitive
+- One topic per step
+- Allow back navigation
+- Save progress (don't lose data on refresh)
+- Clear indication of required vs. optional
+
+### Progressive Commitment Pattern
+1. Low-friction start (just email)
+2. More detail (name, company)
+3. Qualifying questions
+4. Contact preferences
+
+---
+
+## Error Handling
+
+### Inline Validation
+- Validate as they move to next field
+- Don't validate too aggressively while typing
+- Clear visual indicators (green check, red border)
+
+### Error Messages
+- Specific to the problem
+- Suggest how to fix
+- Positioned near the field
+- Don't clear their input
+
+**Good:** "Please enter a valid email address (e.g., name@company.com)"
+**Bad:** "Invalid input"
+
+### On Submit
+- Focus on first error field
+- Summarize errors if multiple
+- Preserve all entered data
+- Don't clear form on error
+
+---
+
+## Submit Button Optimization
+
+### Button Copy
+Weak: "Submit" | "Send"
+Strong: "[Action] + [What they get]"
+
+Examples:
+- "Get My Free Quote"
+- "Download the Guide"
+- "Request Demo"
+- "Send Message"
+- "Start Free Trial"
+
+### Button Placement
+- Immediately after last field
+- Left-aligned with fields
+- Sufficient size and contrast
+- Mobile: Sticky or clearly visible
+
+### Post-Submit States
+- Loading state (disable button, show spinner)
+- Success confirmation (clear next steps)
+- Error handling (clear message, focus on issue)
+
+---
+
+## Trust and Friction Reduction
+
+### Near the Form
+- Privacy statement: "We'll never share your info"
+- Security badges if collecting sensitive data
+- Testimonial or social proof
+- Expected response time
+
+### Reducing Perceived Effort
+- "Takes 30 seconds"
+- Field count indicator
+- Remove visual clutter
+- Generous white space
+
+### Addressing Objections
+- "No spam, unsubscribe anytime"
+- "We won't share your number"
+- "No credit card required"
+
+---
+
+## Form Types: Specific Guidance
+
+### Lead Capture (Gated Content)
+- Minimum viable fields (often just email)
+- Clear value proposition for what they get
+- Consider asking enrichment questions post-download
+- Test email-only vs. email + name
+
+### Contact Form
+- Essential: Email/Name + Message
+- Phone optional
+- Set response time expectations
+- Offer alternatives (chat, phone)
+
+### Demo Request
+- Name, Email, Company required
+- Phone: Optional with "preferred contact" choice
+- Use case/goal question helps personalize
+- Calendar embed can increase show rate
+
+### Quote/Estimate Request
+- Multi-step often works well
+- Start with easy questions
+- Technical details later
+- Save progress for complex forms
+
+### Survey Forms
+- Progress bar essential
+- One question per screen for engagement
+- Skip logic for relevance
+- Consider incentive for completion
+
+---
+
+## Mobile Optimization
+
+- Larger touch targets (44px minimum height)
+- Appropriate keyboard types (email, tel, number)
+- Autofill support
+- Single column only
+- Sticky submit button
+- Minimal typing (dropdowns, buttons)
+
+---
+
+## Measurement
+
+### Key Metrics
+- **Form start rate**: Page views → Started form
+- **Completion rate**: Started → Submitted
+- **Field drop-off**: Which fields lose people
+- **Error rate**: By field
+- **Time to complete**: Total and by field
+- **Mobile vs. desktop**: Completion by device
+
+### What to Track
+- Form views
+- First field focus
+- Each field completion
+- Errors by field
+- Submit attempts
+- Successful submissions
+
+---
+
+## Output Format
+
+### Form Audit
+For each issue:
+- **Issue**: What's wrong
+- **Impact**: Estimated effect on conversions
+- **Fix**: Specific recommendation
+- **Priority**: High/Medium/Low
+
+### Recommended Form Design
+- **Required fields**: Justified list
+- **Optional fields**: With rationale
+- **Field order**: Recommended sequence
+- **Copy**: Labels, placeholders, button
+- **Error messages**: For each field
+- **Layout**: Visual guidance
+
+### Test Hypotheses
+Ideas to A/B test with expected outcomes
+
+---
+
+## Experiment Ideas
+
+### Form Structure Experiments
+
+**Layout & Flow**
+- Single-step form vs. multi-step with progress bar
+- 1-column vs. 2-column field layout
+- Form embedded on page vs. separate page
+- Vertical vs. horizontal field alignment
+- Form above fold vs. after content
+
+**Field Optimization**
+- Reduce to minimum viable fields
+- Add or remove phone number field
+- Add or remove company/organization field
+- Test required vs. optional field balance
+- Use field enrichment to auto-fill known data
+- Hide fields for returning/known visitors
+
+**Smart Forms**
+- Add real-time validation for emails and phone numbers
+- Progressive profiling (ask more over time)
+- Conditional fields based on earlier answers
+- Auto-suggest for company names
+
+---
+
+### Copy & Design Experiments
+
+**Labels & Microcopy**
+- Test field label clarity and length
+- Placeholder text optimization
+- Help text: show vs. hide vs. on-hover
+- Error message tone (friendly vs. direct)
+
+**CTAs & Buttons**
+- Button text variations ("Submit" vs. "Get My Quote" vs. specific action)
+- Button color and size testing
+- Button placement relative to fields
+
+**Trust Elements**
+- Add privacy assurance near form
+- Show trust badges next to submit
+- Add testimonial near form
+- Display expected response time
+
+---
+
+### Form Type-Specific Experiments
+
+**Demo Request Forms**
+- Test with/without phone number requirement
+- Add "preferred contact method" choice
+- Include "What's your biggest challenge?" question
+- Test calendar embed vs. form submission
+
+**Lead Capture Forms**
+- Email-only vs. email + name
+- Test value proposition messaging above form
+- Gated vs. ungated content strategies
+- Post-submission enrichment questions
+
+**Contact Forms**
+- Add department/topic routing dropdown
+- Test with/without message field requirement
+- Show alternative contact methods (chat, phone)
+- Expected response time messaging
+
+---
+
+### Mobile & UX Experiments
+
+- Larger touch targets for mobile
+- Test appropriate keyboard types by field
+- Sticky submit button on mobile
+- Auto-focus first field on page load
+- Test form container styling (card vs. minimal)
+
+---
+
+## Task-Specific Questions
+
+1. What's your current form completion rate?
+2. Do you have field-level analytics?
+3. What happens with the data after submission?
+4. Which fields are actually used in follow-up?
+5. Are there compliance/legal requirements?
+6. What's the mobile vs. desktop split?
+
+---
+
+## Related Skills
+
+- **signup**: For account creation forms
+- **popups**: For forms inside popups/modals
+- **cro**: For the page containing the form
+- **ab-testing**: For testing form changes