How to Add a Simple Form to Your Website

Would you like to give your website visitors an easy way to contact you with comments or questions?

Instead of a mailto: link (which doesn’t work for people who use web-based email like GMail, Hotmail, Yahoo, or similar services), or  javascript click to email (which also doesn’t work for everyone), make it easier for your visitors to contact you by adding a simple form to your website.

Sound too complicated?  Don’t worry.  It’s easy when you know about a couple of very cool tools.

If your website is a WordPress site, you can add one of these plugins to create a form:

• Contact Form 7: Great plugin, allows basic forms as well as multiple forms and more advanced features.
• Fast & Secure Contact Form: Another good plugin for forms with additional anti-spam features.

Not running WordPress for your website, or prefer not to use a plugin?  No problem, try one of these options:

• Jotform.com: Free and paid options for accounts.  Super user-friendly drag and drop interface.  Allows you to create your form then add it to your website by copying and pasting a little piece of javascript.  If you like drag and drop type options, you may want to use this even if you’re using WordPress for your site.  Will email you each time a form is submitted as well as store it in a database so you can login and view it.
• Google Documents: If you like Google docs you may want to check out their form creator.  It’s easy to use and saves your results in a spreadsheet you can view online.  This one has lots of design choices, and you can even make your results public if you’d like to share the info you gather.  Because it’s managed by Google Docs you can also easily share access with your virtual assistant or business partner.

So, what can you do with your new forms?

• Add one to your contact page so it’s easy for clients to get in touch with you.
• If you’re a coach, create a feedback/accountability form so clients can report in weekly (or whatever frequency you like).
• Create a survey and find out what your clients want/need.
• … and more!