The percentage of users who start but don’t complete a form. A high abandonment rate may indicate UX or trust issues.
Why Form Abandonment Rate Matters
A high form abandonment rate signals that something is preventing users from completing their journey. It could be unnecessary fields, slow page speed, or lack of trust signals like SSL or privacy policies. For SEO and CRO (conversion rate optimization), reducing abandonment not only increases conversions but also improves engagement metrics such as time on site and user satisfaction.
Search engines reward websites that deliver a smooth, valuable experience. When users complete forms successfully, it strengthens signals of trust and relevance, helping businesses rank higher while generating more qualified leads.
Form Abandonment Rate Across Different CMS Platforms
WordPress
Plugins like Gravity Forms or WPForms allow tracking of partial form completions and drop-offs, making it easier to analyze and optimize forms.
Shopify
E-commerce sites often face checkout form abandonment. Shopify analytics and third-party apps provide insights into where customers drop off in the purchase journey.
Wix
Wix users can track form abandonment using built-in analytics and connect tools like Hotjar to identify friction points in sign-up or contact forms.
Webflow
Webflow integrates with Google Analytics and other tracking tools to monitor form abandonment, enabling designers to tweak layout and usability.
Custom CMS
Custom-built platforms often implement event tracking to measure exactly where and why users stop filling out forms, offering highly tailored insights.
Form Abandonment Rate in Different Industries
E-commerce
Abandoned checkout forms represent lost revenue. Streamlining checkout steps and offering guest checkout can drastically reduce abandonment.
Local Businesses
For service-based businesses, abandoned booking or contact forms mean missed opportunities to connect with potential clients.
SaaS Companies
SaaS platforms rely heavily on sign-up and trial forms. Optimizing these forms helps reduce churn at the very first stage of the funnel.
Blogs and Publishers
Even publishers use forms for newsletter sign-ups. Lower abandonment here means stronger email marketing lists and long-term reader loyalty.
Best Practices to Reduce Form Abandonment Rate
- Keep forms short and only ask for essential information.
- Add trust elements like privacy policies, security badges, and clear messaging.
- Enable autofill and mobile-friendly design for ease of use.
- Offer progress indicators for multi-step forms.
- Test forms regularly to remove bugs or usability issues.
Common Mistakes That Lead to High Form Abandonment
- Making forms unnecessarily long or complicated.
- Failing to optimize forms for mobile devices.
- Using confusing error messages that discourage users.
- Lacking transparency about how user data will be used.
- Not testing forms across different browsers and devices.
FAQs
What is form abandonment rate?
Form abandonment rate is the percentage of users who start filling out a form but leave before submitting it.
How is form abandonment rate calculated?
It’s calculated as:(Number of forms started − Number of forms completed) ÷ Number of forms started × 100
Why does form abandonment rate matter?
Because high abandonment means lost leads, wasted traffic, and missed conversions, it reveals friction in your user experience.
What common reasons cause form abandonment?
Some frequent causes include: too many fields, security/privacy concerns, slow loading, confusing layout, or required info users don’t have.
How can I reduce my form abandonment rate?
You can reduce it by simplifying your form (fewer fields), making it mobile-friendly, showing progress indicators, adding inline validation, and clearly explaining why you need certain info.
