Using Form Styles

JourneyCARE forms include styling options for layout, columns, colors, backgrounds, and labels, all controlled from the Form Builder. Simple, readable designs complete at higher rates than heavily customized ones, so organize the form for clarity before you decorate it.

Form Layout Options

Arrange fields in the Form Builder to control how the form reads on the page. Common layout options include:

Single-column layouts
Two-column layouts
Section headings
Spacing between elements

Using layout thoughtfully can make longer forms feel much shorter.

Using Columns

Columns place multiple fields on the same row, which keeps related information together and shortens the form. Some fields work well side by side, while others need the full row to stay readable:

Two Columns	Avoid Side-by-Side
First & Last Name	Long text fields
City & State	Paragraph responses
Start & End Date	File uploads
Phone & Email	Large dropdowns

Avoid cramming too many fields into a single row, especially if many users complete forms on mobile devices.

Changing Colors

Customize colors to match your organization's branding. Typical areas include:

Buttons
Accent colors
Required field indicators
Section highlights

Choose colors that provide strong contrast and are easy to read, and avoid using color alone to communicate important information.

Using Backgrounds

Forms can also include customized backgrounds. Backgrounds work well when:

Embedding a form on a landing page
Creating a branded registration experience
Highlighting a featured event

Busy backgrounds can distract users from completing the form, so simple, clean backgrounds generally provide the best user experience.

Customizing Labels

Every field includes a label that tells users what information to enter. Examples:

First Name
Organization
License Number
Dietary Restrictions

Use labels that are:

Clear
Specific
Easy to understand

Avoid internal terminology that members may not recognize.

When to Use Short Labels

Many fields also support Short Labels, which are abbreviated labels that reduce clutter. They are especially useful when:

Displaying fields in multiple columns
Working with mobile layouts
Creating cleaner-looking forms

Standard Label	Short Label
Organization Name	Organization
Primary Phone Number	Phone
Preferred Mailing Address	Address

Short labels reduce clutter while still making the form easy to understand.

Best Practices

Keep layouts simple.
Group related fields together.
Use columns sparingly.
Keep colors consistent with your brand.
Use readable backgrounds.
Write clear labels.
Preview the form on both desktop and mobile before publishing.

Common Mistakes

Using too many colors
Creating crowded multi-column layouts
Choosing labels that are too long
Making forms difficult to read on mobile devices
Over-designing a form instead of focusing on usability

Right sidebar in the form and survey builder — the exact styling controls for layout, colors, backgrounds, and labels.
Create a form — build a form and open the Form Builder.

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