Forgiving input for seniors: Seniors also have a harder time using unforgiving search engines and forms. We saw users thwarted because they typed hyphens in their search queries, and punished because they used hyphens or parentheses in a telephone or credit card number. In search queries, if a user types a dash or hyphen, ignore it by default. At the very least, detect it and specifically inform the user to remove it and search again. Accept dashes and hyphens as part of the string of credit card numbers. As much as possible, accept grammatically correct variations of your site’s URL. Consider registering several domain names.

Minimization enter for seniors: This strategy could be different from ones used when designing for general users, who, for example, can have a benefit of personalized features from filling out a personalization form on the very first page of a website. Input forms shall be put as late as possible in the e-business process. Websites designers shall remember that some of the elderly won’t complete the transaction and will just look for information on goods or services. Inputting information (especially switching between keyboard and mouse) is time-consuming for the elderly.

Using the default values when entering for seniors: The default values, however, shall be provided whenever possible, even if at the cost of flexibility. Also, in case of an error, elder users shall never be made to fill a form from the very beginning. Elder users spend more time inputting data and can’t always easily comprehend which data is obligatory and which is optional. Regular users benefit from defaults as well, but generally better quality of input information is favored.

Standardization of webform elements for seniors: The forms on an e-business website shall avoid standard html elements used in a non-standard way. Elder users rely to a high extent to their previous experiences on other websites and have harder time recovering from errors. Regular users better adapt to new and unusual usage of familiar elements, although re-purposing is always recommended only after a careful consideration.