Application questions should help you decide, price, place, prepare, or contact the applicant. If a question does not help with one of those things, it probably belongs in a later conversation, not the form.
Question types
- Short text for brief answers such as registration numbers or trading names.
- Long text for descriptions, access notes, menus, bios, or technical details.
- Dropdown for one choice from a controlled list.
- Checkbox for one or more choices.
- Date for date-based answers.
- File upload for supporting information requested during application.
Build a good form
Start with the decision
List what your reviewers need to know before approving or rejecting.
Use clear labels
Write questions in plain language. Avoid internal shorthand.
Mark only essential questions as required
Required fields should be genuinely necessary for submission.
Put questions in a logical order
Group similar work together so applicants can finish accurately.
Test the public form
Submit an application and check how answers appear in review.
File upload advice
- Use file upload only when the file is needed at application stage.
- Use compliance document requirements for recurring document checks such as insurance or licences.
- Tell applicants what kind of file you expect and why you need it.
Shorter forms usually produce better answers. You can always ask follow-up questions from the participant record or communications tab.
Trader applications
Managing trader applications for a market or festival?
SmartGig helps you collect applications, review documents, track payments, approve traders and run event-day check-in from one connected workflow.
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