POWR Blog

How To Create A Web Form To Collect Data

Written by POWR | May 25, 2022 6:00:00 PM

Paper forms are still used by many institutions such as schools, hospitals, and banks to collect information. But the amount of paper used continues to decrease as the world increasingly transitions to digital formats. 

Having a streamlined way to collect user data for visitors to your website is key to making sure they can easily keep in touch with you or contact you if they have a problem or question.

The best way you can go about this is through the use of an on-site web form. If you aren’t too familiar with the topic, don’t worry - we’ll cover exactly what a web form is, along with the best way to go about creating one for your website. 

What Is A Web Form?

A web form is a web-based document used for surveys and other communications. Businesses use them for customer communication by prompting visitors and prospects to input various pieces of personal information, along with any questions or comments they have.

A web form can be set up to achieve a number of things - customer communications, technical support questions, online-job application forms, even product order forms. The main thing to keep in mind is the end goal you want to achieve via the form.

HTML Versus Form Builder Software

You can either manually code in a web form via HTML or you can utilize online form builders to create web forms. You can click here to learn about the form builder software we offer here at POWR. A form builder is the better choice for most people, especially if you’re in a hurry, as it allows you to streamline the creation process and make adjustments on the fly. You can also use our form builder to quickly create multiple forms to fit the needs of your site. You can also create a form using an online flipbook maker.

Tips for Creating Your Web From

When using a form builder, the process to create your web form is pretty straightforward, but it’s still helpful to have some tips and guidelines in mind when it comes to its creation.

Use Simple Headers

The headers on your web form should be simple and state exactly what the form does - be it a contact form, job application, or customer support form. Avoid trying to be clever or unique, save that for the products and services you offer.

Offer Step by Step Instructions

Give clear step by step info on what visitors will need to do when filling out the form, along with the reason why you are collecting any personal information, such as emails or phone numbers. Keep this copy concise but make sure no details are left out.

Keep the Form on Your Website Consistent

When it comes to the layout of the different web forms on your site, be sure to keep them as consistently and organized as possible. Doing so will both lead to a more cohesive visual appearance, along with helping your users experience a consistent UX/UI process - which is a key factor in how users feel about interacting with a site. These small details matter, especially in the digital world, when your competition is a simple click away. 

Conclusion

Web forms are an essential part of a functional website, and without our form builder you can easily create multiple types, depending on your needs - be it a web form that emails or an order form. Having a well-executed web form on your site can be a great way to increase the lead conversion rate of your site, as they can encourage customers to reach out to you, helping establish an initial point of contact.