Validating Form Inputs

[Philip M]

This is intended to be a helpful reminder to web designers and programmers, as across the web I seem to encounter quite a number of forms where the validation procedures prevent it being filled in.

First, phone numbers. Please do not restrict them to a particular format unless you do not want orders from overseas customers, and allow the ++ prefix for international dialing and the country code. As I understand it USA codes have 9 digits, but this does not apply elsewhere in the world.

Secondly, postcodes. Again, these vary a lot from country to country. It makes no sense if only a five digit USA zip code is allowed.

Proper names - these can include non-alpha characters such as:

Home of 'O' Gauge
Tom's Tool Works
Westward Ho! Enterprises
Smith & Jones Inc.
J.Brown (1998) Ltd.
100% Reliable Taxis
The $10 Shoe Shop
"My House Name"
Red-Barrel Beer

Too many forms seem to reject these non-alpha characters, which can result in a lot of customer frustration.

I respectfully suggest that if people are too dumb to enter their names, postcodes and phone numbers correctly, then that is their problem! Excessively strict validation can drive your customers away!

Hope this helps and is in the right forum.

Philip M

[beetle]

Very right you are, Philip. To quote a person better with words than I"Knowledge...is knowing how to do it. Wisdom...is knowing when to do it."
-Author unknownPlease folks, validate where it's necessary, and not just for the sake of validating.

Note to self: write a "Validation Pros & Cons" snippet for fValidate website :D

[Adam20002]

Couldn't agree more Philip.

Note to self: write a "Validation Pros & Cons" snippet for fValidate website

Is that a sneaky plug for fValidate again :D

[beetle]

Originally posted by Adam20002
Is that a sneaky plug for fValidate again :D ! ! ! S h h h h ! ! !

*** Nobody noticed 'till you said something! ***

:D