Text Areas

Most data can be obtained in fields which hold defined kinds of data. This fits in well with our programming concepts of normalized data. However, not every bit of information from the user will fit neatly into one of your fields. For many forms we need to also allow the visitor to enter information with less constraints, like miscellaneous information about shipping or suggestions on how to improve the site. HTML supports <TextArea> tags to allow just this type of field. Although you could gather some limited comments in a large text field, the <TextArea> provides a space with multiple lines and word wrap.

In fact, gathering free-form user comments is a great way to discover what needs to be changed about your form. If visitors perceive a problem you'll hear heaps about it in no time if you include a TextArea field for feedback. Not only can the feedback be stored with the user's record, but a separate table can hold just feedback, for the Webmaster to review where on the site visitors are frustrated.