Why are my form submissions dropping after I added a new field?

Updated October 2026 · How we answer

Friction at the wrong moment

Every additional field gives a visitor another reason to stop. A question that asks for a budget range or a project date may feel too personal before they have spoken with you. On a phone, a longer form can feel tedious and difficult to finish.

Fields that are required but not clearly explained can also cause errors. If a visitor cannot tell what format is needed, they may give up instead of trying again.

Test a simpler version

Remove the new field for a week and compare results. If submissions recover, move the question to a follow-up step after the first contact. You can also make it optional or add a short note explaining why you need it.

Check that the form works on phones, that the submit button responds, and that confirmation messages send. Technical problems can look like falling conversions.

If you need the new information, consider asking for it after the first contact by email or text, since people are often more willing to share details once they have a conversation going.

• Compare results before and after the change
• Move optional questions to a later step
• Test the form on a phone
• Confirm confirmation emails send

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