The 7 most common mistakes in awards entry forms—and how to avoid them

Nobody enjoys filling out unclear forms—and yet it’s easy to keep stumbling over the same mistakes.

It’s time to address these common pitfalls. For an awards program, the submission phase can make or break your program. It’s more important than ever to inspire participants, deliver high-quality entries and give you, as a program manager, the overview you need.

In this article, we highlight the most common errors in entry forms so you can avoid frustration and help your submissions take off smoothly.

Mistake #1: Too many or irrelevant questions

“Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Many forms include fields that are not essential for evaluating your award. The result: entrants feel overwhelmed or drop out, and you end up with incomplete or unusable data.

Try this: Examine every field: Is the information really necessary? Remove anything superfluous and focus on what truly matters. For more on how nomination software can streamline the submission process, see our article on why nomination software is the secret to a seamless awards program.

Mistake #2: Unclear or misleading questions

If questions are too general or complicated, submitters often provide inaccurate or superficial answers. This makes comparison difficult and can distort the evaluation.

A short practical example: questions like “Describe your project” without additional context or criteria rarely provide actionable information. Instead, use guiding questions such as “What measurable results has your project achieved in the past 12 months?” and set clear expectations.

Try this: Use clear, simple language. Explain technical terms and provide examples so participants know exactly what you expect. Our guide to creating an engaging call for entry also shows how to establish clarity from the start.

Mistake #3: Lack of structure and overview

A long, cluttered form can be intimidating. Participants quickly lose track, and important information may be overlooked.

Try this: Divide the form into thematic sections, use headings, short paragraphs, and visual breaks. Award Force allows you to design form sections flexibly so that everything remains logical and clear. For more tips on organising your award program effectively, see our article 9 Tips to make your awards program shine.

Mistake #4: Too many mandatory fields

Every mandatory field can feel like a weight on entrants’ shoulders. If too many fields are required, the form quickly becomes an obstacle course. Some give up in frustration before even presenting their project. Drop-out rates can rise dramatically in longer forms.

Try this: Only mark the truly essential information as mandatory. All other fields can remain optional to make the submission process smoother.

Mistake #5: No immediate feedback on errors

Imagine an entrant typing a long description, clicking “Submit”, and only then discovering that a number is missing or an attachment is incorrect. The result: frustration, follow-up questions, and wasted time on both sides.

Try this: Provide immediate feedback. Highlight missing fields and flag incorrect or invalid entries. With Award Force, this never happens. The system automatically provides instant feedback if information is missing or doesn’t meet the requirements. Participants can correct their entries immediately, without running into invisible obstacles.

Mistake #6: Not testing forms

Many programs go live immediately, and it’s possible for participants to encounter stumbling blocks: unclear questions, missing options or technical hurdles. This leads to frustration, follow-ups, and sometimes incomplete submissions.

Try this: Test the form beforehand with team members or trial participants. With Award Force, you don’t have to worry: our client success team thoroughly reviews all programs before they go live, allowing you to start confidently and ensuring your participants enjoy a smooth experience.

Mistake #7: Unclear guidance on file formats or supporting documents

Many forms request attachments or supporting documents without providing clear instructions. Participants upload the wrong formats or submit incomplete evidence. This wastes time, generates follow-ups, and can even result in otherwise high-quality submissions being overlooked due to technical misunderstandings.

Try this: Provide clear instructions on file formats, sizes, and content. Sample images or short guides help prevent errors.

Small mistakes, big impact

These seven mistakes are common but costly in terms of time, money and stress for everyone involved. By recognising and avoiding these pitfalls, you can improve the quality of your submissions, make life easier for judges and create a positive experience for all participants.

Award Force supports you with flexible, configurable forms, secure data storage, and GDPR-compliant processing. This allows you to focus on what really matters: fair, efficient and transparent award programs.

The mission: excellence in awards management

Every detail counts. Optimising your award forms is a small step with a big impact: better submissions, fewer mistakes and smoother processes. Keep refining your forms for the benefit of your participants, your judges and the reputation of your award.