In today’s digital world, having an effective way for visitors to contact you is essential for any online business. On WordPress, creating a contact form is simple and effective. It allows you to stay in touch with your customers and generate leads easily. In this article, we’ll explore step-by-step how to create and customize a contact form on WordPress. Discover everything you need to optimize this crucial feature of your website.
Installing a form plugin
Choosing the right plugin
To create an effective contact form on WordPress, choosing the right plugin is crucial. You can opt for popular solutions like “Contact Form 7”. It’s known for its simplicity and flexibility, or “WPForms” for its user-friendly advanced features. Make sure the plugin you choose offers the necessary functionality. For example, field customization and response management. Make sure it’s compatible with the latest version of WordPress. Also check the plugin’s reputation in terms of support and regular updates.
Installing and activating the plugin
Installing a form plugin on WordPress is quick and easy. To get started, access your WordPress dashboard and go to “Extensions” > “Add”. Use the search bar to find the form plugin you’ve chosen, then click on “Install now” and finally on “Activate”. Once the plugin has been activated, follow the instructions to perform the initial configuration, such as creating your first form. This step will allow you to customize the form to your specific needs, before embedding it on your WordPress site for immediate use.
Creating the form
Initial form configuration
Once you’ve activated the form plugin, you can start creating your contact form. Here’s how to perform the initial configuration:
- Access the creation interface: In your WordPress dashboard, go to “Forms” (or the tab corresponding to the plugin you have installed) and click on “Add new” to create a new form.
- Using predefined templates: Some plugins offer predefined form templates. You can choose a template that best suits your needs, or start from a blank template for total customization.
- Basic parameters: Configure basic parameters such as form title, description (optional) and other parameters specific to the plugin you’re using.
Add custom fields (name, email, message, etc.)
- Custom fields: To add custom fields like Name, Email, Message, etc., use the options provided by the plugin. Generally, you can drag and drop the fields you wish to include in your form.
- Field types: Choose the appropriate field type for each element. For example, “Text field” for the name and message, and “Email field” for the email address.
- Advanced settings: Configure advanced field settings if required. For example, validation rules (e.g. for email), mandatory fields, etc.
- Field order: Organize the’order of fields by dragging fields to achieve the desired sequence.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to configure and customize your WordPress contact form to your specific needs. Once the form has been created, you’ll be able to easily embed it on your WordPress pages or posts to allow visitors to contact you directly.
Form customization
Once you’ve created your basic form, customize it to perfectly suit your specific needs. You can adjust existing fields by modifying labels. Add descriptions and configure parameters such as field obligation and data validation. Some plugins also allow you to add additional fields. For example, drop-down menus, checkboxes or file fields. This allows users to upload documents.
When it comes to visual appearance and functionality, you can choose from a variety of predefined templates offered by your form plugin. These templates adapt to your website’s visual identity and your specific design needs. If the predefined templates don’t suit, most plugins allow you to create a fully customized template. This gives you complete control over the appearance and functionality of your form. This guarantees an optimal user experience and seamless integration with your WordPress site.
Form integration in WordPress
Add the form to a page or post
Once your form has been created and customized, integration into WordPress is simple and can be achieved in several ways. To add it to a page or post, create or edit the page or post where you want to display the form. Use the Gutenberg editor or the classic editor to insert the form, using the form insertion blocks or buttons provided by your plugin. This allows you to position the form directly in the content of your page or article intuitively and without the need for advanced technical skills.
Using widgets or shortcodes
Another popular method is to use widgets or shortcodes. Some form plugins offer widgets that you can drag and drop into the widget areas of your WordPress theme. To do this, go to “Appearance” > “Widgets” in your WordPress dashboard, choose the form widget and select the form to display. Alternatively, you can use a shortcode generated by your plugin. Simply copy the shortcode corresponding to your form and paste it into the text editor of the page, post or even a text widget. This method is fast and efficient for integrating the form on any page or post of your WordPress site, providing a smooth and professional user experience for your visitors.
Optimization and testing
Optimization for mobiles and tablets
To ensure an optimal user experience on all devices, optimize your contact form for mobiles and tablets. Make sure fields are properly sized and easily accessible on small touchscreens. Use drop-down menus for multiple options, and reorganize fields where necessary to facilitate navigation on mobile devices. Also check that the form is responsive and adapts correctly to different screen sizes, improving accessibility and usability for all your users.
Test the form to make sure it’s working properly
Before making your contact form accessible to the public, carry out several tests to make sure it’s working properly. Submit the form with various data types to check validation of mandatory fields and confirmation messages. Also test the reception of email notifications to ensure that you are alerted as soon as a visitor submits the form. Finally, make sure that the form works correctly on different browsers such as Chrome, Firefox and Safari, to ensure maximum compatibility. These tests will enable you to correct any problems before users run into difficulties, ensuring a positive and smooth user experience.
Form security
Add captcha or anti-spam check
To avoid spam submissions on your contact form, adding a captcha or anti-spam verification is essential. Use services like Google’s reCAPTCHA to verify that submissions come from real users rather than automated bots. These tools add an extra layer of security by making it harder for bots to submit forms.
Configuring plugin security settings
Make sure you configure your form plugin’s security settings correctly. Enable filtering and validation options to detect and block potential spam submissions. Many plugins also offer advanced security features such as SQL injection protection and enhanced data security. Be sure to keep your form plugin up-to-date to benefit from the latest security patches and functional enhancements, ensuring your form’s ongoing protection against potential threats.
By applying these security measures, you can ensure that your contact form remains a reliable and secure way for visitors to get in touch with you, while protecting your data from malicious attacks and submissions.
