Published Nov 13, 2023 ⦁ 5 min read

Best form making software transforms business processes

Introduction

In today's digital era, forms are an indispensable tool for companies looking to optimize workflows, automate data collection, and improve overall efficiency. However, creating forms manually can be time-consuming and limiting. This is where form building software comes in - with drag-and-drop editors, mobile responsiveness, and smart logic, top form makers enable anyone to build feature-rich forms tailored to their needs in minutes.

This article explores how the leading form creation platforms can streamline key business functions through intuitive form building, seamless data integrations, and powerful conditional logic capabilities. Whether you need forms for surveys, lead captures, applications, or complex multi-step processes, the right software solution can help transform workflows across departments like HR, sales, marketing and more.

Key Features of Top Form Software

Here are some of the standout capabilities offered by the premier form building tools on the market today:

Intuitive Form Creation

  • Drag-and-drop interface to easily add, customize and rearrange form fields without coding.
  • Mobile-responsive forms that adapt seamlessly across devices for optimized experience.
  • Form templates to quickly get started for common needs like contact forms, quizzes, applications etc.
  • Multi-page form workflows with progress trackers for long, complex forms.
  • Embeddable forms to collect data directly on websites.

Seamless Data Collection and Storage

  • App integrations to send form data directly into tools like Airtable, Google Sheets, Salesforce etc.
  • Instant email/SMS notifications on form submissions.
  • Real-time analytics through interactive graphs and charts.
  • CSV/Excel exports to download entries for offline analysis.

Advanced Conditional Logic

  • Show/hide logic to display relevant fields based on previous responses.
  • Multi-path branching based on user inputs.
  • Data validation like number ranges, max lengths etc.
  • Partial form saving to complete later.
  • Submission limits after quotas are reached.

Top 10 Form Building Software Recommendations

With an overview of key capabilities, here are 10 top-rated form makers for different needs and budgets:

Typeform

Typeform specializes in creating conversational, mobile-optimized forms with advanced logic for surveys, questionnaires and more.

JotForm

JotForm is an enterprise-ready form builder with HIPAA compliance, 2500+ app integrations and support for complex multi-step workflows.

Google Forms

Google Forms is a free, easy-to-use option for basic forms, tightly integrated with Google Workspace products.

DevHunt

DevHunt offers developer-focused forms with drag-and-drop editing and templates. View real-time submission analytics.

Wufoo

Wufoo provides simple forms for surveys, registrations and contact information capture with inexpensive pricing.

Zoho Forms

Zoho Forms features advanced options tailored for business workflows, integrates tightly with Zoho's CRM and sales tools.

Formspree

Formspree offers a limited but free plan to easily add form submission notifications on static websites.

Formstack

Formstack is an enterprise-grade form solution with salesforce automation, signatures, payments and compliance capabilities.

Paperform

Paperform focuses on beautiful, intuitive form design and simplicity over advanced conditional logic features.

Cognito Forms

Cognito Forms provides a basic but affordable form builder for smaller teams and simple use cases.

Key Factors When Selecting Form Software

Here are some important criteria to evaluate when choosing a form solution:

  • Intended use cases – Align form complexity with goals like basic contact forms vs multi-page applications.

  • Required fields – Consider specialized fields like ratings, quizzes, scheduled appointments etc.

  • Budget – Compare pricing of free vs paid plans and the features offered.

  • Mobile optimization – Ensure forms work seamlessly across all device types and screen sizes.

  • Integrations – Identify which apps/databases need connectivity for sending and storing data.

  • Advanced logic – Assess needs for conditional statements, branching logic, data validation etc.

  • Audience – Factor in submitter demographics, accessibility needs when designing forms.

Tips for Creating Effective Forms

Follow these tips when designing forms for maximum conversions and completion rates:

  • Mobile-first - Optimize structure and inputs for smaller screens with easy navigation and tap targets.

  • Minimize required fields - Reduce abandonment by only marking essential info as required initially. Follow up for non-critical details later.

  • Clear language - Use succinct labels that explain purposes unambiguously. Avoid technical jargon.

  • Smart conditional logic - Show/hide fields dynamically based on previous responses to customize form path.

  • Confirmation messages - Send confirmation emails restating details like submissions, follow ups etc.

  • Include descriptions - Provide explanatory text for complex fields outlining purposes, constraints and expected inputs.

  • Limit unnecessary clicks - Allow advancing pages with tabs/arrows vs submit buttons to simplify navigation.

  • Offer partial saving - Let users save progress and return later to complete long, multi-page forms.

Conclusion

The right form software unlocks transformative capabilities for automating workflows, facilitating data collection, and optimizing processes across departments. Leading solutions like DevHunt provide intuitive drag-and-drop form builders tailored for developers to create everything from basic contact forms to complex multi-page applications. By keeping key criteria like intended use cases and advanced functionality needs in mind, and optimizing form design for ease of completion, businesses can leverage forms to streamline operations at scale.