A Beginner’s Guide to Adding Forms to WordPress

Entering the world of WordPress can leave you feeling baffled when it comes to adding a form to your website. Yet, coding is not a prerequisite as WordPress offers an effortless method that anyone can use, from the non-proficient to the pros. This article outlines a simple step-by-step process to follow, from selecting the perfect plugin to adding the form to your website.

The Importance of Adding a Form to Your WordPress Site

There are numerous reasons why you might want to include a form on your WordPress site. For instance, it could be to collect contact information, register someone for an event, or conduct a survey. Forms also enable visitors to interact with your site by submitting feedback, asking questions, or inputting other valuable information.

Selecting the Right Form Plugin

WordPress offers several form plugins, each with its own strengths, depending on your requirements. Here are some of the most widely used options:

1. Contact Form 7

Contact Form 7 is a free plugin and a favorite with WordPress users worldwide. It is uncomplicated to use, has countless features, and is customizable. It can help create contact pages, feedback forms, and surveys, among others.

2. Gravity Forms

Gravity Forms is a premium plugin that facilitates the creation of advanced forms with a range of features. Its selection of templates spans various forms, and it has advanced options for data validation and conditional logic. Gravity Forms also links with many third-party tools, such as Mailchimp and PayPal.

3. WPForms

WPForms is another popular plugin that provides a drag-and-drop interface that is easy to navigate to create a variety of forms, including payment forms, surveys, and contact forms. WPForms also allows integration with various other plugins and services, including Mailchimp and Zapier.

4. Ninja Forms

Ninja Forms is a free plugin that carries many features, including automatic responses, multi-page forms, and conditional logic. It has a drag-and-drop builder and integrates with several third-party services, such as PayPal and Campaign Monitor.

Whatever plugin you select, ensure it has the required features and it’s budget-friendly.

Installing and Activating Your Plugin

After selecting the form plugin, install and activate it. To do this, navigate to the WordPress dashboard and choose Plugins from the left-hand menu. Next, select Add New at the top of the page.

Type in the name of the plugin in the search bar once the new page loads. Once found, click Install Now and await installation. Once done, click Activate to initiate the plugin on your site.

Creating a Form

After activating the plugin, create your very first form. The process differs depending on the plugin used.

For instance, if utilizing Contact Form 7, go to Contact on the left-hand menu and choose Add New. A unique shortcode will appear allowing you to copy and paste it into your post or page.

If using Gravity Forms, choose Forms from the menu and click New Form. Here, you have the option of dragging and dropping the fields you want to employ in your form. Once done, submit the form, and the shortcode will appear at the top of the screen.

For WPForms and Ninja Forms, the process is quite similar, and once you’ve created the desired form, copy its unique shortcode and paste it onto the page or post it’s required.

Customizing Your Form

After creating your form, customize it to suit your requirements. Most form plugins allow multiple customization choices, including the option to change colors, fonts, and even add a logo.

Customizing your form in Contact Form 7 involves clicking Edit next to the form you intend to customize. Then, click the Form tab to make changes if necessary. You could also use CSS to further modify the form.

If using Gravity Forms, click on Settings on the form you want to customize from the Forms option in the menu. This allows you to transform the form’s appearance and behavior, along with setting up confirmations and notifications.

WPForms goes a step further by providing a Theme tab to customize the form appearance. You also have the ability to add custom CSS when required.

Inserting Your Form on Your Website

The final stage is to insert your form onto your website. This step varies depending on the plugin used.

For instance, with Contact Form 7, copy and paste your shortcode onto your desired webpage or post, save the page and preview to confirm the form displays correctly.

If using Gravity Forms, copy the shortcode and paste it into the shortcode block on the required page or post. Then save the page or post and preview it.

WPForms can be inserted using various options like a shortcode, or add it to a widget. All you have to do is copy the shortcode and paste it where the form needs to appear.

Ninja Forms require you to copy the shortcode and paste it where you want the form to appear on your website.

Conclusion

Having a form on your WordPress website enhances interaction with visitors, allowing you to collect vital information. Though it might seem daunting to set up, the right form plugin can make the process relatively easy. Follow the steps outlined in this article to create and customize your form, then insert it onto your WordPress site, and start receiving vital feedback and data.