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How to Create Your First Web Form
First-time JotForm users often ask how to create a simple web form, how to set up Email Notifications, how to embed a form on a website, how to test the form to see if it's working, and how to view responses in email and JotForm Inbox. Got a tight schedule? Learn it all in two minutes with the video below.
How to create a web form
- 1. Decide what to ask
- 2. State the purpose in the heading
- 3. Use predefined form fields
- 4. Use a Long Text Entry field for long answers
- 5. Setting up Email Notifications With Email Notifications
- 6. Embed your form on a website
1. Decide what to ask
First of all, think about what kind of questions you want to ask to our visitors. The best web forms have higher conversion rates by keeping it short and simple. Many users will simply abandon a form if it has too many questions. So keep your web forms as short and clear as possible.
2. State the purpose in the heading
You know why you're creating this web form, but visitors who land on your web page won't know what your form does unless you tell them. Include a short heading, such as "Contact Us," on your form. Put additional info in the subheading if necessary.
3. Use predefined form fields (e.g., Full Name, Email, Address, etc.)
Ask the visitor for their name and email address so you can keep track of your form submissions and follow up with visitors. Click ADD FORM ELEMENT on the left of the Form Builder. All of the standard Form Fields appear under the BASIC tab.
4. Use a Long Text Entry field for long answers (comments, descriptions, etc.)
A large comment box allows visitors to provide longer responses. Use the Long Text Entry field (textarea) under the QUICK ELEMENTS section of the BASIC tab.
5. Setting up Email Notifications
With Email Notifications, you’ll receive an alert in your email every time someone completes your form. Click SETTINGS at the top, EMAILS on the left, and the PLUS (+) icon to add a new Email Notification.
Since you're creating an email that will come to you, select NOTIFICATION EMAIL. The AUTORESPONDER is used when you need to send a confirmation email to the user who submitted the form.
For a more in-depth discussion on Email Notifications, refer to our guide on Setting-Up-Email-Notifications.
6. Embed your form on a website
Embedding your form on a website is crucial to continuously collect data. To get your embed codes, click PUBLISH at the top, then EMBED in the left navigation. Choose a different embed option depending to what suits you best.
There are also specific ways of embedding the form on several website builders and CMS platforms. If you're using one, go to the PLATFORMS menu instead and pick the one you're using.
Copy and paste the codes into your website's source code, usually within the body tag, and your form will be integrated the moment you save the changes in your editor.
If you're not sure which one to choose, read our guide on Which-Form-Embed-Code-Should-I-Use?
7. Test your web form to see if it's working
Test your form on your live website to see that notifications are going to your email and your JotForm Inbox. If nothing comes through, go back and check that you set up your form and notification email correctly.
Congratulations on setting up your first web form! Return to this article anytime if you get lost. Tell us about your experience in creating your first web form in the comments section below!
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Hi, I see the Next button for my form but not the Back button. I checked the visibility for the both and they both say visible for all pages where the buttons reside; the exception is the first page that does not have a Back button.
What do I need to do to make the Back button visible on the form?
Thank you for responding. This document was very helpful, however, I do not have the elements listed on the pdf editor. Am I doing something wrong? Should I create the application as a form and convert it somehow to a writable pdf? I am confused at this point of what and how to create our scholarship application. Help!
Thanks!
How do I add photos?
Hello I am looking to have users make customizable pdfs that I can sell as a digital download directly from my Wordpress site. Is this possible using Jotform? If so, what are the steps?
I followed the steps above and completed, thanks!
_______________
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Very informative and nicely explained. saves up time.
Thanks for sharing
How do I find directions about the fillable pdf? I'm looking all over your site….
I have created and it says that it was saved, but when I copy the link, it brings up the template without the changes??? What am I doing wrong?
I followed the steps correctly! thank you
tukif
Hi. Thanks for the video. It's really clear. However I just needed a bit more clarification on what happens to the data when it is returned. I understand it goes to your jot form inbox, but can it be downloaded for eg to a CSV file?
Thank you very much for the nice share about Creating a web form which is pretty useful, I will also try to create one and put it on my website based on beetv movie app
Excellent article, it turns out to create a form now is really very simple. I used to use Contact Form 7 for Wordpress, after I tried the uCalc plugin, but now I decided to try something else and JotForm really liked its simplicity.
I’ve created my form and tested it. I’m not able to open the pic that was uploaded. I’m getting 404 error
We send letters to our clients. Can I build a form that asks for a client id, then fills out the client data (name, address etc.) from a DB or .csv file?
HELPED ME WITH MY HOMEWORK W3SCHOOLS RECCOMENNDED IT TO ME
Thanks for sharing the information..
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How do I edit a form I created? The program will not let me open the form.
It says to test our form -- but how? By publishing it?
Can we set validation in fields..i.e for pincode it should have only 6 digit
i hope this will work on my site //
Can you use these forms internally without publishing to website?
sorry am new and a beginner of creating a website and i want to know how to create a good website
i want to pan update jotform
Hello good day.
If I create my first Web Form|Jotform how much the fees for a month?or its free?
thank you.
create more extensive form
wonderful jotform site i introduce my thanks for u
Hello,
I am in a new position here at Westford Academy and I am in charge of having the graduating class record their names. I know we used this wonderful system last year and it was a great success. I am a little overwhelmed in the direction I need to go first. Could you direct me to the correct section, or can we converse by phone? Whatever is easier for you.
Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you,
Amy Moore amoore@westfordk12.us (978)692-5570 ext 2106
thank you
nice information
Hi, A customer of mine needs the Jotform Bronze to send his messages in a website. This website will be provided by me and I want to know how we have to handle the admin situation like, name, address and payment by my customer.
The customer is machinehandelwoormgoor.com and is situated in the Netherlands.
The site will be published next week at the provider and the name will be:
ski-rack.nl
My name is:
Wim Dogterom
web development
mobile: 0031-6-4875 8998
nice post keep it up
I made the form/contact us tab, copied the code now have no idea where to put the code on my facebook page to make it work...
I created a small website. In contact details form the name field color (background of the field which is White) & color of the text typed(which is White) are same(both are white). I am unable to change text color to Black. Pls help me
I can't publish my form why ? It say this form is disabled ! Please help
hola , como uso el lector de codigos QR en un formulario?
why submit button not appear?
I need to create a credit card authorization form to embed into my website that is secured with an SSL certificate. I don't want the information to come to JotForm due to security. Is this possible?
dear sir when i submitted form . i see thank you page but did not see submission data
Creative piece . I loved the info , Does someone know where my company might get ahold of a sample WI WB-11 form to fill in ?
Thanks for sharing this guide, it is very useful!
how to creat live audio streming website i need help can any give help me
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What do I do after copying the code??
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Is there any way to get get my form submissions uploading to a database as well as to my email?
Can I create a jotform that will take the user out to provide thier location via google maps pick & return the lat/long in its response?
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Hi, I can't create a form with transparent ackground. Allways appear in white. And I can't change in anyone place, css...
What can I do, please?
Thank you very much
WAOUU!!! IT'S VERY GOOD. BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW TO AD THE PASS WORD OBJET
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