Put the zip code first (zipcodefirst.com)

Article summary

The article argues that forms should ask for the ZIP code first, as it can be used to autofill the city, state, and country fields, making the process more efficient. The author claims that this is a solved problem with free APIs available and that it's surprising that many websites still don't implement this feature. The article also mentions that this approach can improve the user experience and reduce errors. The author suggests that putting the ZIP code first can simplify the address entry process.

Main themes

• Address Form Design
• User Experience
• Autofill and APIs
• Geolocation and ZIP Codes
• Form Validation and Errors

What commenters say

• Some commenters agree that putting the ZIP code first is a good idea, but point out that it may not work for all cases, such as when multiple cities share the same ZIP code.
• Others argue that the approach is too US-centric and may not work for international addresses, where the equivalent of a ZIP code may not be unique to a single country.
• A few commenters mention that even in the US, ZIP codes can be associated with multiple cities or states, and that the approach may not always yield accurate results.
• Some argue that the best approach is to ask for the country first, and then use the equivalent of a ZIP code to autofill the remaining fields, allowing for more flexibility and accuracy.
• Others suggest that forms should allow users to input their own addresses, as browsers often autofill addresses anyway, and that this approach can be more user-friendly.
• A few commenters point out that there are edge cases, such as addresses that are not listed in databases or have non-standard formats, that need to be considered when designing address forms.
• Some argue that using IP addresses to pre-select a country and then asking for a postcode can be a good compromise, allowing for more accuracy and flexibility.
• Others disagree with the article's premise, citing examples of how the approach can fail, such as when a ZIP code is associated with a different country or region.