While it may seem obvious to you, I had a client recently that needed clarification on what a form is and what a form does.
When I build a WordPress website I include the top premium form builder as part of the package. It allows you to create a form with virtually any fields and then do a number of different things with the data collected as well as what happens when they click the ‘submit’ button.
Possible fields include a single line of text, a paragraph box of text, checkboxes, radio buttons, address, email, phone and so much more.
As an example I’ll put one of the simplest forms (my newsletter signup form). Yes, you should sign up for my newsletter but in doing so you’ll also see how the whole process works. This is my Form.
Now back to my writing (this is not part of the form)
When you complete the form, for this form the data goes three different places.
1. a copy is stored in my sites database. I can then view or export that entry or all the entries.
2. a copy is sent to my email inbox
3. a copy is pushed over to my newsletter system at MailChimp. This triggers an email notification seeking confirmation to the email address listed.
You might notice that I make sure your inclusion to my list is Double Opt In, I’ll also send the email address a “Welcome Email”.
I’ve also setup a “thank you” page that you’ll end up on when you complete my form.
Forms can be simple like this or as complex as you want them to be. On the longer forms I’ll break them up into different pages and then show you how far along the form you are at the time. You can also setup a system where they can save a form to be completed later.
Essentially a form is something that collects data of sorts – what you do with the data is up to you.
Posted in: WordPress