Web forms: what is it, what are they for and how to create them

by Moises Hamui January 9, 2023

Web forms, also known as HTML forms, are online pages that allow input from multiple users. They are interactive resources with the same format as a paper form, where people can fill in particular fields.

They are mainly used to retrieve data and information from a specific group of people . This type of information is processed and stored to perform other types of work.

There are two basic parts to a form:

The program or script that helps process information retrieved from users.
The interface or page that has the form structure (fields, labels, buttons, etc.)

By fulfilling these two basic elements, the forms are ready to collect the information that your users enter.

Importance of forms

For starters, forms help you manage and collect information efficiently and easily. They also help you store and organize information to perform the corresponding analyses. These types of forms are essential to obtain the necessary information from potential customers .

By knowing your customers through their responses, it is much easier to take measures and retention strategies. This is done in order to increase sales and establish a much stronger relationship with customers.

5 Best Social Media Agencies 2024

Benefits of forms

If you still have doubts about the use of web forms, here are some reasons why these elements can be beneficial for your company or brand. Learn about the advantages below.

Real-time information

Thanks to the program or script that processes user information, it can be stored and viewed in real time. Therefore, it is ideal for companies that want to make reports or information flows as quickly as possible. In this way, you avoid transferring and handling physical documents that result in a slow and unproductive process.

I save money and time

In addition to the above, using web forms makes the process much simpler and more productive. In addition, we are leaving behind the era of printing, distributing and storing hundreds of forms. With an automated program, it is possible to collect all the data you want and have it at your fingertips at any time. Without a doubt, there is a visible saving of time and money in using web forms.

Improves the flow of information

It is natural that, when using web forms, information management becomes much more fluid. Data is processed and displayed in many ways, leaving behind the use of physical formats that had to be captured and processed manually for storage.

There is a massive reach

There is no doubt about this advantage. Web forms can be distributed more widely than physical ones. Moreover, they can have a massive reach if shared through the right channels.

Features of the forms

Every good form must have essential features that are easy for users to understand. Below, you will learn about the main areas that a well-designed form must meet.

Be clear and simple

Both the interface and the prompts should make the user feel comfortable and not confused. It is important not to make a form that requires too much effort, as the person may choose to abandon it.

10 Best Digital Marketing Agencies in 2024

Using CTA

If the intention is for users to enter the form and share their data, what better way to do it than through a call to action. Using an attractive CTA will help achieve those conversions we desire.

Visual contrast with the site

This feature is much more visual and stylistic than the rest. It is important to present forms that stimulate people through colors and their integration of elements. Make sure that the forms faithfully represent the company.

Going from the general to the particular

This means that the level of complexity to be handled in the form has to increase little by little. It is important to start with basic questions (such as asking name, age, gender, occupation, etc.) until reaching more detailed questions about what you really want to know.

Information about the form

This is essential for any type of form. Each form should have a title and a brief description that, in addition to attracting the user's attention, also states that the data provided will not be misused. It is essential to appeal to good practices and management of user information.

Clear writing to avoid errors

It is important to be as clear as possible with the instructions. Ideally, they should be brief but well explained, so that the user does not get bored reading long and poorly written instructions.

Types of forms relevant to your business

There are various types of forms, each with its own characteristics and purposes. Below, we will present what these forms are and what their elements are.

Contact forms

This type of form helps to start a relationship between the company and the user, as it establishes the basis for bilateral contact. It is ideal for receiving notifications and updates of all kinds.

Registration forms

It works as a tool that stores the data of a company's clients. This is done in order to save a person's preferences and personal data to facilitate future actions. It serves to improve the service to users.

Order forms

In addition to the registration form, this type of form helps to know and save customer data when placing an order. Here you can find out the delivery address, payment method and billing information.

Donation forms

These are used by charities and non-profit organisations. They are usually used to obtain personal and contact details of donors.

Subscription forms

This is one of the simplest forms that can exist, since very little data is requested. They are also often used to ensure that users subscribe to content that may be of interest to them, mainly newsletters. From these forms, it is possible to build a spectrum of customer loyalty.

What is PPC and what is it used for?

Login forms

We've all been through a login form. They are essential for users to access their data or information on a particular site.

Rating forms

They are used to rate the experience, help or quality of a website, product or service. They are usually known as Likert surveys and CSAT satisfaction scales.

How to create a form on a web page?

To create a form on a web page, you need to use HTML, which is the markup language used to structure the content of a web page. HTML allows you to create different types of elements, such as text, images, links, buttons, etc. Forms are a special type of element that allow you to collect information from users, such as their name, email, preferences, etc.

To create a form in HTML, you need to use the <form> tag, which defines the start and end of the form. Within the <form> tag, you can use other tags to create the different fields or controls of the form, such as <input>, <select>, <textarea>, <label>, etc. Each tag has its own attributes, which specify the type, name, value, size, style, and other characteristics of the field.

For example, if you want to create a simple form that asks for the user's name and email, you could use the following HTML code:

<form> <label for=“name”>Name:</label> <input type=“text” id=“name” name=“name” required> <label for=“email”>Email:</label> <input type=“email” id=“email” name=“email” required> <button type=“submit”>Send</button> </form>

This code would create a form with two text fields and a button to submit the information. The for attribute of the <label> tag indicates which field the label refers to. The type attribute of the <input> tag indicates the type of data that is expected to be entered into the field. The required attribute indicates that the field is mandatory and cannot be left empty. The id attribute is used to uniquely identify the field. The name attribute is used to send the name and value of the field to the server when the form is submitted.

If you want to see how this form looks on a web page, you can copy and paste this code into an online editor such as CodePen either JSFiddle and see the result.

There are many more types of fields and attributes that you can use to create more complex and customized forms.

Software to create web forms

There are many software for creating web forms, but I am going to mention three that I find interesting and useful:

Typeform : Typeform is a software that allows you to create online forms with an attractive design and a fluid user experience. You can choose from more than 3,000 templates or create your own form from scratch with 28 different types of questions. You can also integrate your form with other applications such as Google Sheets, Slack, Hubspot or Salesforce.
JotForm : This is a software that gives you the tools to create beautiful and functional forms for all your needs. You can access over 10,000 free templates, customize your form's theme, accept online payments, and connect your form with over 100 integrations. It has an AI feature that helps you create forms automatically.
Wufoo : This is a software that allows you to create powerful and professional forms with a simple and easy-to-use interface. You can use more than 400 templates or start from scratch with more than 30 types of fields. You can also generate reports and analysis of the data you collect with your form and sync it with other platforms such as Mailchimp, Dropbox or PayPal.

Written by Moises Hamui Abadi : I am an entrepreneur, founding partner of Viceversa and SoyMacho. After leading several digital businesses and advising several other businesses, I decided to form MHA Consulting, a digital marketing consultancy dedicated to growing and empowering digital businesses in more than 7 countries and generating more than 1,500 million pesos.

Schedule a call with MHA and learn how to create perfect forms and sell more and better.