Are you new to WordPress and feeling overwhelmed by all the plugin options? Don’t worry – you’re not alone! Today, I want to discuss one of the most popular form plugins: WP Forms. This powerful tool can help you create everything from simple contact forms to complex survey forms without coding knowledge.
Let’s dive into some best practices to help you get the most out of WP Forms while keeping your site running smoothly.
1. Start With the Right Form Template
WP Forms comes with dozens of pre-built templates designed for specific purposes. Instead of starting from scratch, browse through these templates first. Looking for a newsletter signup? There’s a template for that. Need a payment form? Yep, there’s one for that too. Using templates saves you time and ensures you don’t miss essential fields.
2. Keep Your Forms Simple
It’s tempting to ask for every piece of information you might need, but resist this urge! Each additional field reduces the likelihood that users will complete your form. Ask only for essential information – you can always follow up later for more details.
3. Use Smart Conditional Logic
One of WP Forms’ most powerful features is conditional logic. This allows you to show or hide fields based on users’ previous answers. For example, if someone selects “Other” from a dropdown menu, you can automatically display a text field asking them to specify. This creates a cleaner, more personalized experience for your visitors.
4. Set Up Email Notifications Properly
Don’t just rely on the default notification settings. Create custom email templates that immediately alert you when forms are submitted. Consider setting up different notifications for different team members depending on the purpose of the form. And always test these notifications before publishing your form!
5. Implement CAPTCHA Protection
Spam submissions can quickly become overwhelming. WP Forms offers several anti-spam options, including reCAPTCHA and custom CAPTCHA questions. While these add an extra step for users, they’re worth it to prevent your inbox from being flooded with spam.
6. Mobile-Optimize Your Forms
More than half of web traffic now comes from mobile devices. Preview how your form looks on different screen sizes before publishing. WP Forms creates responsive forms by default, but you should check the layout and ensure fields aren’t too crowded on smaller screens.
7. Use Entry Storage Wisely
WP Forms can store submissions in your WordPress database, which is incredibly convenient. However, if you have a high-traffic site with lots of form submissions, this database can grow quite large. Consider periodically exporting and deleting old entries to keep your site running efficiently.
8. Take Advantage of Form Abandonment Features
Many users start filling out forms but don’t complete them. With WP Forms’ form abandonment addon, you can capture partial information (like email addresses) from these incomplete submissions. This feature alone can dramatically increase your lead capture rate!
9. Integrate With Your Essential Tools
Connect WP Forms with your other business tools. Whether it’s your email marketing service (Mailchimp or ConvertKit), payment processor (like PayPal or Stripe), or CRM system – WP Forms offers numerous integrations that can automate your workflow and eliminate manual data transfer.
10. Regularly Test Your Forms
Forms can break when you update WordPress or other plugins. Make a habit of testing all your important forms at least once a month. Submit test entries and verify that notifications arrive correctly and that data is being properly stored or transferred to integrated applications.
Bonus Tip: Style Your Forms to Match Your Brand
While functionality is crucial, appearance matters too! Customize your form’s colors, buttons, and fonts to match your website’s branding. WP Forms makes this easy with its style customizer – no CSS knowledge is required.
Remember that forms are often the first way potential customers interact with your business. A well-designed, properly functioning form creates a positive first impression and builds trust with your audience.
As you become more comfortable with WP Forms, you’ll discover even more advanced features that can help streamline your processes and boost conversions. However, mastering these ten best practices will give you a solid foundation and help you avoid common pitfalls many WordPress beginners face.
Happy form building!
Chemicloud
Pressable