--- title: Dropdowns Should be the UI of Last Resort - LukeW description: All too often mobile forms make use of dropdown menus for input when simpler, more appropriate controls would work better. Luke shows us several alternatives... image: https://www.connectionmodel.com/hubfs/images/dropdowns_effort_2x.png --- [![](https://www.connectionmodel.com/hubfs/Assets/Images/connection_model_full-tiny.svg)](https://www.connectionmodel.com/) [Contact](https://www.connectionmodel.com/contact)   |   [ Support](https://www.connectionmodel.com/Support)    |    [Book a Demo](https://www.connectionmodel.com/contact) [![](https://www.connectionmodel.com/hubfs/Assets/Images/connection_model_full-tiny.svg) ](https://www.connectionmodel.com/)      Subscribe # Dropdowns Should be the UI of Last Resort - LukeW by [Luke Wroblewski](http://www.lukew.com/about/) All too often mobile forms make use of dropdown menus for input when simpler or more appropriate controls would work better. Here's several alternatives to dropdowns to consider in your designs and why. **Expectations impact conversion** No one likes filling in forms. And the longer or more complicated a form seems, the less likely we are to jump in and start filling in the blanks -especially on small screens with imprecise inputs (like our fingers). ![dropdowns_compare_2x.png](https://www.connectionmodel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/dropdowns_compare_2x.png?width=687&height=366&name=dropdowns_compare_2x.png) While there's two extra fields in the "painful" version above, the primary difference between these two flight booking forms is how they ask questions. One makes use of dropdown menus for nearly every question asked, the other uses the most appropriate input control for each question. ![dropdowns_effort_2x.png](https://www.connectionmodel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/dropdowns_effort_2x.png?width=687&height=366&name=dropdowns_effort_2x.png)   Interacting with dropdown menus on mobile and the desktop is a multi-step process often requiring more effort than necessary. First tap the control, then scroll (usually more than once), find & select your target, and finally move on. We can do better. Read the rest of this highly informative and educational article on [LukeW's blog](http://www.lukew.com/ff/entry.asp?1950).  Written By: David Carpenter Published on July 16, 2016 Last modified on December 15, 2020 Topics: [Mobile Websites](https://www.connectionmodel.com/blog/topic/mobile-websites), [Mobile Optimization](https://www.connectionmodel.com/blog/topic/mobile-optimization) ## Interested in a free website audit?   ### Subscribe Here! ### Get our latest ebook [![](https://www.connectionmodel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Assets/Images/conversational-marketing-v2-600px.png?width=320&name=conversational-marketing-v2-600px.png "conversational-marketing-v2-600px.png")](https://www.connectionmodel.com/conversational) ## Subscribe To Email Updates Connect On Social Connection Model [+1-206-400-7724](tel:1-206-400-7724) 13555 SE 36th St Bellevue, WA 98006 Hours: 8:00am-5:00pm PT weekdays [Contact](https://www.connectionmodel.com/contact) ©2009-2026 Connection Model [Privacy Policy](https://www.connectionmodel.com/privacy-policy) Connection Model [What is a Digital Marketing Agency](https://www.connectionmodel.com/digital-marketing-agency) [ What is Inbound Marketing?](https://www.connectionmodel.com/what-is-inbound-marketing) [What is Search Marketing Equity® ? ](https://www.connectionmodel.com/search-marketing-equity) [What is Organic SEO?](https://www.connectionmodel.com/search-marketing-equity) [HubSpot Certified Partner Agency](https://www.connectionmodel.com/hubspot-certified-partner) [How Fast PageSpeed improves SEO](https://www.connectionmodel.com/fast-page-speed-seo) [Social Media Marketing Search Everywhere Optimization](https://www.connectionmodel.com/search-everywhere-optimization) [Brand Photography](https://www.connectionmodel.com/photography)[ AI-Based Website Revenue Agents  ](https://www.connectionmodel.com/ai-based-website-revenue-agents)   [Preventing Digital Marketing Fraud](https://www.connectionmodel.com/click-fraud) [How to get the most from our PPC Agency](https://www.connectionmodel.com/paid-search) [Competitor Analysis & Market Assessment](https://www.connectionmodel.com/competitor-analysis-market-assessment) [Boosting Search Visibility with Content Optimization](https://www.connectionmodel.com/content-optimization) [Proper use of AI in Content Marketing](https://www.connectionmodel.com/ai-in-content-marketing) [Connection Model has 7 reviews with an average rating of 5.0 stars on a 5.0 scale.](https://upcity.com/local-marketing-agencies/profiles/connection-model#about-us)  Third-Party Source: [Birdeye](https://birdeye.com/connection-model-167391799976667) From The Blog [![HubSpot Platinum Partner Logo PNG](https://www.connectionmodel.com/hubfs/HubSpot%20Platinum%20Partner%20Logo%20PNG.webp)![HubSpot Platinum Partner Logo PNG](https://www.connectionmodel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/HubSpot%20Platinum%20Partner%20Logo%20PNG.png?width=300&name=HubSpot%20Platinum%20Partner%20Logo%20PNG.png)](https://ecosystem.hubspot.com/marketplace/solutions/connection-model)