Critical Failure: iOS CV Upload

The file input element on the application form uses a custom-styled wrapper div that intercepts touch events incorrectly on WebKit (iOS Safari). The native input is present in the DOM but does not respond to touch.

Fix: Remove the custom div wrapper around the file input and use a native <label> element styled via CSS. Test on iOS 16, 17, and iPadOS.

Estimated Impact: Based on 38% iOS share of candidate traffic and current application volumes, this represents approximately 11 missed applications per week — or ~44 per month.

Journey completes successfully. Two improvements recommended:

1. Add trust evidence before the CTA — placement count, average time-to-hire, or client logos increase form conversion on consultancy enquiry pages by an average of 18–24%.
2. Consultant LinkedIn links should open in a new tab — currently they navigate away from the site entirely, breaking the journey.

1. Sector nav dropdown is slow — 0.8s delay before options appear. Consider static mega-menu.
2. Register CV form has 11 required fields — industry benchmark is 4–6 for initial registration. Reduce to: name, email, sector, and CV file. Collect additional info after registration via email sequence.

Critical Failure: Hiring Brief Form Validation

The Company Name field rejects special characters including & , . ' ( ) — all commonly used in UK business names. The form silently fails with no helpful error message and the submit button becomes unclickable, leaving the user stranded.

This is particularly damaging because: client enquiries represent significantly higher value than candidate registrations. A lost client lead could represent tens of thousands of pounds in placement fees.

Fix:
1. Update field validation regex to permit standard business name characters
2. Add inline error messages explaining exactly which field has failed and why
3. Test with business names including: Ltd, PLC, &, apostrophes, and hyphens

Estimated Impact: 4–6 lost client enquiries per week — potential placement revenue impact of £8K–£30K/month depending on role values.

A cold visitor arriving from a search like "technology recruitment agency manchester" is evaluating your agency against 3–5 others simultaneously. The sector page currently shows:

✗ No consultant names or photos
✗ No example roles placed ("We've placed CTOs, Heads of Engineering, senior developers at...")
✗ No client company names or logos
✗ No placement statistics ("120 tech placements in 2024")
✗ No testimonial from a hiring manager in a tech business

Recommendations:
1. Add a named consultant section with photo, specialisms, and LinkedIn link
2. Include 1–2 anonymised case studies ("Placed a VP Engineering at a Manchester SaaS company — 14 days from brief to offer")
3. Show 2–3 client logos if permission exists
4. Add a single hiring manager testimonial near the CTA

This page is working well. Two minor enhancements to consider:

1. Add 2–3 client logos above the form — A/B tests on similar employer-facing pages show 8–14% uplift in form completion when recognisable brand logos are visible near the CTA
2. Confirmation page is generic — after submission, users see a plain "Thank you" message. Replace with a page that sets expectations: "We'll review your brief and be in touch within 4 business hours" — reduces post-submission anxiety and increases the chance the client doesn't enquire with a competitor while waiting.

For a hiring manager considering a senior or specialist hire, the recruiting consultant's credibility is a primary buying signal. Currently each profile shows:

✗ Name and title only (e.g. "Sarah Reid — Senior Consultant")
✗ No sector or role type specialisms listed
✗ No indication of seniority of roles typically handled
✗ No placement highlights or track record data
✗ LinkedIn link opens in same tab

Recommended profile format:
Name · Title · Specialises in: [sectors] · [role types] · "I've placed [X] professionals in [sector] roles across Greater Manchester, typically at [£X–£X] salary range." + LinkedIn (new tab) + direct email or calendar link.