Allow Users to Enter Phone Numbers However They Wish

Phone number entry should be as painless as possible for the user. Don’t attempt to validate them, split them into groups of numbers, apply brackets, or any of the other weird tricks you see all over the web and in apps. If you’ve tried to use a UK mobile number on a form that’s demanding a US number, then you’ll know the feeling.

My theory is that this sort of design comes from traditional paper form filling. Designers are tasked with copying or recreating what was once a paper form into the company’s shiny new web application, but they take this too literally and users end up with a horrible experience as a result.

Stop and think about whether a phone number is even necessary for most registration forms. I hate using the phone. The “Phone” app is my least favorite app on my phone (I’ve tried deleting the app but it won’t let me). However, I concede that there...