Make Clear filters change only what its label promises

What to change

Agree the scope of each reset action with your supplier and use wording that distinguishes removing filters from starting the whole search again.

A worked example

Illustrative example

A visitor clears location and service-type filters while their search phrase remains. A separately labelled full reset is available only if that broader action is intended.

Healthcare website design showing connected desktop and mobile service and enquiry layouts. — Make the service and next step clear on every screen.

Healthcare website accessibility illustrated by a focus outline, keyboard key, contrast samples and form. — Review keyboard access, contrast and understandable form fields.

Why this matters to your practice

Clear filters should do what its wording promises. If it also erases a carefully typed search phrase, the visitor loses useful work while trying to make a smaller adjustment. Decide with your supplier which settings each reset action changes: location, service type, sort order or the entire search. Then choose labels that describe that scope. Review the same action inside the mobile filter panel and on the results page so its effect does not change with its position.

A practical review example

A visitor may type a useful phrase, choose a branch and change the sort order, then want only to remove the branch restriction. Ask your supplier to demonstrate Clear filters and any broader Reset search control separately. The results should follow the agreed scope, including inside the mobile filter panel and on an empty-result page. If the same wording changes different things in different places, the visitor cannot predict how much work will be lost and may avoid a useful recovery action.

How to check the result

Accept when each reset action changes only its defined scope and the remaining query, ordering and results stay consistent.

A mistake to avoid

Using one generic Reset label for several different operations makes it difficult to predict how much context will be lost.

Turn reading into a next step

Your action checklist

Work through these checks with your team or supplier. Tick the ones you have resolved and leave unknowns open.

Checks to discussEnter a query, choose several filters and change the sort order. Activate Clear filters and compare every part of the resulting search state.Ask the supplier to demonstrate any separate Reset search action. The two actions should have distinct, consistent purposes if both are offered.Repeat from an empty result screen and a mobile filter panel. Reset behaviour should not differ merely because it is accessed from another location.

Your answers and notes

Record what you know, what is still missing and the answer you need from your team or supplier.

What happens next, and who will do it?

Use project decisions only, without personal, patient or confidential details. Entries stay in this page and are not submitted to Kay & Co. Copy or download before leaving; this page does not save your notes.

Related guides

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