Earlier websites used to have a “contact-us” form with input type fields, validations and a submit button on an HTML web page. These were the essentials of a “contact-us/feedback” form, however certain websites did not have a form. Instead, they had a contact number with live customer service representatives to speak to, or an email address served as a means of contact.
A form is an essential component of a website today and consequently creating a form is not a tedious task and possibly even pleasant. It remains the simplest way to acquire all the necessary information and feedback from a user. Now it's even easier to obtain information on the basis of what a user selects, therefore a form designed correctly could help a website owner identify what type of product and service a user wants.
Several online form builders for a website will be discussed in this article. Before we dig into the common options, let's first look at some of the key features we'd expect to see in a good form builder.
Form Templates
Even though developers can create a form using HTML and JavaScript, trying an online form builder is a good option. To save time, it would be best to select a form builder that provides various categories of form development all in one place. In addition to time savings, various form templates are available that creates an easier user selection.
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Figure 1: Example of form types by Online Form Builder Formstack
Image Source: formstack.com
For visually impaired users
Websites claim to provide content for every user, however this is not the case with every website. For making form access easier, Formstack offers an online form builder with 508 compliance (in other words accessible to all internet users).
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Figure 2: Formstack is a form builder that is 508 section certified
Image Source: formstack.com
Easy to use
A Drag and Drop interface comes with an ease of usage in form designing, consequently creating multiple page forms with just a few clicks. Also, certain features for creating easier custom themes exist.
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Figure 3: Example of Online Form Builder Zoho's drag and drop
Image Source: zoho.com
Security Measures
Keeping form data secure is what every developer wants. The online form builder selected should include safety features, such as data encryption, 256-BIT SSL, PGP Email Encryption, Captcha and so on.
Platform for Partial Submissions
Forms with partial submissions and save/resume options are valuable for those who may not finish filling out the form on their first or second attempt and would prefer to obtain extra time to return to it. Before users get a feeling of “lost filled field data,” the form should save the fields as they become complete. To remedy the lack of time to fill-out a form in its entirety, as said above, decide on a form builder with an option to complete survey/forms at a later time.
Figure 4: SAVE & RESUME LATER feature of Online Form Builder EmailMeForm
Image Source: emailmeform.com
Electronic Signatures
Another possible asset to a form is an electronic signature field. These signatures are saved as image files and stored in a form builder account. However, be sure to check that the signature field also works correctly on mobile devices.
Analytics and Tracking
Various analysis should be available for the form, examples of such would be unique views and conversion rates. However, preparing reports and utilizing various widgets such as Graphs, Charts and Datagrids is advantageous. Some of them also come with Google Analytics integration.
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Figure 5: Online Form Builder WuFoo reports using Graphs, Text, Numbers, Charts and so on.
Image Source: wufoo.com
Multiple File Uploads
A form builder with an option to add multiple file upload fields would be expedient when a user needs to attach multiple files. This could be beneficial in a recruitment form that requires users to add resume, cover letter and other significant documents.
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Figure 6: Multiple File Upload feature of Online Form Builder EmailMeForms.
Image Source: emailmeform.com
App Integration
Even apps could create an easier task for developers through their integration and migration. JotForm comes with more than 100 pre-built app integrations to power your forms with PayPal, Salesforce, Box, Solve360 and so on.
Integrating Payments
A form builder should easily integrate secure payments with payment solutions provided by PayPal, Google Checkout and so on.
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Figure 7: Payment Tools for JotForm
Image Source: jotform.com
The Top Online Form Builders
Formstack
An online form builder for developing responsive forms has multiple sharing options with social media plugins and more than 35 marketing integrations.
Conditional logic is a logic that allows showing and hiding questions for previously answered questions. Formstack provides this feature and helps in keeping form information short and relevant.
It has the following features:
- Drag and drop simple interface.
- Form builder with section 508 compliance.
- Adding electronic signature field in the form is easier.
- Security measures like data encryption, 256 bit SSL, password protection, PGP Email encryption and CAPTCHA.
- Advanced editor for custom styling.
- Tracking and analysis of form views and abandonment rates.
JotForm
JotForm is the first WYSIWYG form builder with more than 1,500,000 users. It helps in creating an online form from anywhere, anytime without the need to write code. Integration options with more than 10 applications for payments, CRM, document sharing, managing emails and so on.
They've provided every feature for free, although you just need to upgrade for more space and submissions.
It has the following features:
• 5000+ form templates.
• No registration required.
• Check the 11 ways to use Jot Forms section.
• Free account with 100+ submissions/month.
• No ads, no logo on your free online form.
WuFoo
An award-winning interface with easy customization, reporting, templates and easy to embed features.
Create stunning themes to match your organization's needs with Theme Designer and ThemeGallery. WuFoo is trusted by many popular brands like Disney, Amazon, Sony and so on. Its integration partners include WordPress, Confluence, Twitter, MailChimp and so on.
SurverMonkey acquired WuFoo in 2011.
It has the following features:
- Online form builder with cloud storage database.
- Drag and drop feature makes the user interface simpler.
- Create stunning themes with Theme Designer.
- The code-manager comes with copy and paste code snippets to make embedding easier in your post, website, email newsletter, Facebook page and so on.
- Rule Builder for showing and hiding fields.
- 300+ themes and templates.
EmailMeForm
Build a free and simple form using EmailMeForm's form builder software. Founded in 2006 and now serving more than a million people, clients include HP, NASA, Texas Instruments and so on.
It has the following features:
- Determine form behavior depending on user input in other words direct users to various path.
- Responsive forms accessible easily on any device without the need to change any setting or changing the programming code.
- You can also send data to the cloud, webapps, or CRM.
- Reach a broader audience by creating and customizing error messages and labels in languages other English.
Zoho
Build unlimited forms with unlimited fields using the Zoho Creator for collecting data, also to analyse and report it. Trusted by well-appreciated brands like Paypal, Sony, DHL and so on. Also a winner of Crunchies 2007 and Webware 2008 awards.
A survey stated that 95% of users would recommend Zoho Creator to others.
It has the following features:
- Drag and drop simple interface.
- Embed forms easily on your website and blogs.
- Provides graphical representation of raw data, making analysis easier.
- Export a database in the seven files/formats of Spreadsheet, HTML Document, PDF, RSS Feed, JSON Feed, CSV Feed and TSV Feed.
- Web forms for website integration with CRM.
Summary
In this article I've covered 5 Online Form Builders with parameters to be considered when selecting one. I definitely recommend Formstack and JotForm. Others also have some unique features as shown below.
| Formstack |
* Responsive forms for every device. * Adding electronic signature field on the form is easier. * 508 compliance forms in other words accessible to all Internet users. |
| JotForm |
* They've provided every feature for free. * No ads, no logo on your free online form. * No registration and login required for accessing. |
| WuFoo |
* Develop customized themes and gallery using ThemeDesigner and ThemeGallery. * Rule Builder for showing and hiding fields on user input. * Easy payment setting interface. |
| EmailMeForm |
* An option to add your own logo and design. * Forms can be created in multiple languages with global localization. * Enables sending form data to Twitter with customization of tweet text and link. |
| Zoho |
* Unlimited online forms and fields for free. * Export the database as seven different files. * Restricts form visibility, in other words the forms are intended for a selected audience. |
How about you? What Form Builders have you used on your website?