How to create a great application form
If you want to get good information out of your application process – allowing you to make the right grants to the right people – you need to ask the right questions. But not too many. With enough detail to make your assessments. And with data that can be compared and contrasted. And enough narrative to understand the ask. And all within a form that takes an appropriate length of time to complete relative to the amount of funding you are offering…
A minefield? We can help you navigate your way around so that you are confident you are asking for the right information at the right time.
AIMS has been helping people build perfect application processes for thirty years, and we’d love to share some of our insight with you.
Your data capture needs will be specific to your programme, but there are some simple steps you can take that will help your applicants easily move through your forms whilst also helping you collect the information to make fair and transparent decisions – a good application form saves you time and money.
- Be concise
- Mark the areas that are mandatory
- Avoid jargon
- Be clear about word limits
- Break down your questions into sections where possible
- Make sure it is accessible. Can a screen reader interpret the form? Is it legible to someone with visual impairment?
