How to make a good form using GOV.UH Forms

A form should ask only for information the service needs and should be easy for users to understand and complete.

Start with the service

Before building the form:

• identify the organisation responsible for the service
• confirm the purpose and authority for collecting the information
• decide what happens to each submission
• remove questions that are not needed

Write clear questions

Use plain English. Ask one clear thing at a time. Explain unfamiliar terms and tell users what information they will need before they start.

Make the form accessible

Use the standard question types and components provided by GOV.UH Forms. Provide meaningful labels, headings, error messages and instructions. Do not rely on colour, visual position or formatting alone to explain what a user must do.

Provide a public starting point

Publish an authorised GOV.UH page or service page that explains the service, who can use it and what users should know before they start. Link from that page to the live form.

Provide privacy information

Tell users which organisation is responsible for their information, why it is collected, how it will be used and how they can exercise their information rights. Each service owner is responsible for the accuracy of its privacy information.