Error Suggestion ensures that when users make a mistake, they’re not just told they’re wrong – they’re given helpful, actionable advice to fix it.
Who this impacts
- People with cognitive impairments: Clear, actionable suggestions help users understand errors and make corrections without frustration.
- Screen reader users: Screen readers can announce detailed suggestions, helping users correct issues efficiently.
- Everyone: Practical error feedback improves usability, saving time and reducing frustration.
How to meet Error Suggestion
- Provide clear, actionable error messages: Don’t just say “Invalid input”—guide users with suggestions like “Please use a valid email address (e.g., name@example.com).”
- Tie suggestions to specific fields: Ensure error messages appear near the relevant input field, helping users identify where the problem lies.
- Test with users: Confirm that error suggestions are clear, helpful, and easy to act on.
Practical example
When creating a new Catbook account, the form is labeled to tell you that usernames must be at least 6 characters long and cannot have spaces, but if the chosen username is already in use, the error message should be something actionable, like, “This username is taken. Try adding numbers or symbols (e.g., Toebeans472).”
Exceptions
If it’s not possible to determine a specific suggestion for fixing the error, a general message explaining the issue may suffice.
Top tips
- Be specific, not generic: Tailor error messages to the situation, offering clear advice users can follow.
- Use inline messages for context: Place error suggestions near the input field to make corrections faster and more intuitive.
- Test for clarity and usability: Ensure error suggestions are clear to all users, including those relying on screen readers.
- Use better labels: Consider including instructions in the label like the format for dates to avoid errors in the first place.