AJAX Best Practices to Prevent Drop Off

By: Andrew Leigh
05-May-2009

As a Technical Solutions Consultant I am responsible for helping our customers implement Experian QAS products into a wide range of applications and web sites.

QAS Pro Web provides developers with the ability to validate address information in real time and guide the user to the correct address when further interaction is required.

Changing the end user workflow on their web site is always a big concern for our customers, especially when the information being capturing is as important as a delivery or billing address. They want the best of both worlds - correct information but no impact on user drop-off!

In order to alleviate these concerns and make implementations as simple as possible we created the AJAX Best Practices. The Best Practices is a workflow based on extensive internal and external feedback from a wide range of sources gathered across many years of product integrations.

Using the Best Practices roughly 85% of searches are completed without any new interactions for the end user; the address is validated and then formatted according the integrator's needs. For the remaining 15% there is a new interaction but it is very specific to what is wrong with the provided address. For example, if the Apt or Suite is missing we only prompt for Apt or Suite.

The workflow does not display lists of potential matches unless they are necessary, the user has the ability to override the validation and keep their original address and the messaging is very clear. All of this combines to make a fluid user experience and greatly decrease the chance of drop of in the 15% of cases more information is required.

With usability concerns addressed (no pun intended) we need to get the Best Practices workflow seamlessly integrated with the target web site. This is where the AJAX part comes in.

Drop in a small set of HTML values, configure the names of the address fields you want validated and attach the validation to the submit/next button on your firm by simply setting an HTML field value. Include a JavaScript and stylesheet to the end of your page and the integration is ready for testing.

For more details on the AJAX Best Practices or to speak with a consultant about your QAS Pro Web integration questions contact us.support@qas.com