A web form, or HTML form, is a page on a website where users enter data or information that’s then sent to a server for processing. All websites have at least one, and everyone on the internet has used some version of it, whether to subscribe to a newsletter, check out a shopping cart, or answer a survey. It can be a pop-up, a widget (a widget on a website is defined as a snippet of software that functions independently on-screen), or a separate page altogether. Creating a web form from scratch can be complex and requires some knowledge of web development to pull off. But with form builder software like Powr.io’s, you can design your own with all the functions you need and a look that matches your website—without having to know how to code.
Common Types of Web Forms
Choosing which type of web form to add to your website depends on the purpose you need it to fulfill: to generate leads, manage information, gather customer insight, etc. Here are some common types to consider.
Contact Form
Contact forms give users a channel to reach out to you. But how do contact forms work exactly? Customers can use them to ask a question, raise a concern, or even manage their orders. They contain fields that require leads to input their name, contact information, and other relevant details. These are then redirected to the business, usually through a customer service team, to process.
Lead Generation Form
A lead generation form is used to collect contact information of website visitors, converting them into leads. These usually come in the form of subscription pop-ups or banners, typically with an offer to give users access to additional content, a discount, or updates.
Order Form
Order forms allow users to purchase items on a website. This is typically the end of a checkout process where customers input their contact details, shipping information, and payment method. They’re very detailed and can include multiple steps (it may even redirect customers to secure payment channels) before going through for processing.
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Registration Form
A registration form is common to websites that require log-ins. These collect information from website visitors to create an account, usually as a prerequisite to using the business’ services or to allow users to retain information on the site (e.g. check out information so you don’t have to fill them up each time on a website you frequently buy from).
Survey Form
Mobile survey forms are used to gather insights about customer experience, helping businesses improve future interactions. They may include long text responses, multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, ranges, and other answerable options.
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How Do I Create a Web Form?
Website owners no longer need coding skills to create a web form. With form builder software like Powr.io’s, you can easily create one from scratch and embed it into your website.
Here’s what you need to do to create a web form:
Determine the Purpose of Your Web Form
Determine why you need the web form in the first place. Only then can you choose which type to add, what questions to ask (or fields to include), what call-to-action to insert, etc. Knowing the purpose of your web form will help you clearly communicate it to your website visitors, which lessens the chances of them abandoning it mid-completion.
Design Your Web Form
Consider how your web form will look, both in the functional and aesthetic senses. It must make sense; your customers should be able to understand it and have an easy time filling it up. It must also match the look of your website and appear that it was thoughtfully put together.
Embed Your Web Form to Your Website
Once you’re happy with what your form contains and how it looks, you can then choose a place to embed it on your website, whether in the borders of your site or on a dedicated page itself. Next, copy and paste the embed code and paste it onto your site’s source code. Test to see that it works as designed before publishing it live!
Conclusion
Web forms are a great way to boost your business’ lead generation, marketing, and data management efforts. They’re easy to build, especially with a form building software like Powr.io's that lets you customize its look and functionality, along with allowing you to embed it to your site—all without needing any prior coding knowledge.
