Using Eye Tracking to Optimize Label Placement in Forms | Smiley Cat Web Design

Looks like we are doing the exact opposite!

Using Eye Tracking to Optimize Label Placement in Forms | Smiley Cat Web Design

Conclusions at-a-glance

Their conclusions were both expected and unexpected:

1. Labels above input fields is best, but if you can't do that, right-aligning labels is better than left-aligning them.
2. Bold labels are harder to read.
3. Drop-down list boxes are very distracting and so should be used sparingly. Make the first (i.e. the visible) option a direction such as 'Please choose…' rather than an actual choice.

I've always believed that right-aligned labels looked and worked better – it's good to have some formal validation of that belief