In this tutorial I’ll show you how to create a simple contact form using the free version of WPForms plug-in.
If you’re new to WordPress, visit our homepage to access a well-crafted Hestia theme tutorial that makes mastering WordPress a breeze.
To get started using WPForms Lite, watch this video:
But before we start, A Quick Note About The Nag Screen.
WPForms is a freemium plugin. If you try to use a premium feature, you’ll see a prompt to upgrade. Just click the button to close it and continue.
Getting Started.
WPForms plugin is installed on my website, so let’s build our first form. Whenever you see the WordPress admin bar, hover over the + New tab and select WPForms.
Creating Your Form.
- The First Step is to Name Your Form. So, Enter a name for your form.
- For UK users, the GDPR Contact Form template is a great option, because it includes a checkbox to request permission for you to respond when you receive the form. Use the search box to find the GDPR Contact Form template.
- Select Available Templates to see all 67 free form templates. Then choose a template such as “Blank Form” or “Simple Contact Form”.
Customizing Your Form.
Once your form is open add fields:
Drag any standard field from the left sidebar into your form.
Reorder Fields by dragging fields up or down to rearrange them.
Editing Form Fields.
- To Edit a Field, click the field to open its settings in the left sidebar.
- You can change the label, add a description, or adjust other options.
Default GDPR Contact Form Fields.
The template includes:
- Name.
- Email.
- Comment or Message.
- And GDPR Agreement.
Other fields you might find useful are:
- Multiple Choice.
- Checkboxes.
Other form fields.
I’ve found the Dropdown field buggy, and I rarely use the Numbers or Number Slider fields.
For detailed instructions on any field type, search Google for “A Complete Guide to Standard Field Types in WPForms“. This links to a page on the official WPForms website.
Spam Protection.
To prevent spam:
Open the Settings tab in WPForms.
Go to Spam Protection and Security.
Ensure the following two options are enabled:
- Modern anti-spam protection.
- And, minimum time to submit.
For extra protection, enable Google reCAPTCHA by following the tutorial linked in the settings.
Other Settings.
Below the Spam Protection and Security tab you’ll see the Themes, Notifications, and Confirmations tabs. These have default settings that work well for most users.
Saving and Embedding Your Form.
Once your form is complete, click the orange Save button. You can now embed your form in two ways:
- Option one. Use the Embed Button: Search for a page and insert your form.
- Option two. Manual Embedding: Close the form dialog, then go to Pages > All Pages in your WordPress dashboard. Open and edit the page where you want to add your form.
The easiest way to embed a WPForms form into your page is by placing your cursor ON A NEW LINE, then typing a forward slash followed by wpforms like this, /wpforms. After clicking the blue button you see a drop down list of all the forms you’ve made on your website. Select any form to insert it into your page.
Closing the WPForms Edit Screen.
To close the form editor and return to WordPress, first click the save button, then click the X in top right corner of the screen.
Testing Your Form.
Make sure you test your form to ensure it sends information to your email address.
Email Caveat.
Some web hosts require forms to send emails to an address matching your domain name. If you’re using a Gmail address for your WordPress admin email address, this could cause issues. If you have problems, switch to an email address that matches your domain.
Conclusion.
WPForms is a powerful free plug-in. If you see the occasional upgrade prompts. Just close those screens and continue building your form.