Create Custom Forms Quickly with This Versatile Software
Introduction
Collecting information online is critical in today's digital world. Whether you need to survey customers, gather sales leads, or enable users to make purchases, using form building software to easily create customized online forms without coding is a must-have capability. Form builders allow anyone to quickly make forms for a variety of use cases through an intuitive drag-and-drop interface.
In this post, we’ll review some of the top form creator tools available in 2022 to help you choose the right solution for your needs. As a platform for launching developer tools like form builders, DevHunt provides an open listing to showcase and get feedback on new innovations.
What Are Form Building Tools
Form building tools are software that enable users to create web-based forms for data collection without needing to write any code. They provide a graphical interface with drag-and-drop form editors that allow you to add different fields like text boxes, dropdowns, and radio buttons to build the perfect customized form.
Advanced form creators integrate directly with databases to securely store form entries. Once connected, the form builder populates the database with submissions in real time. This makes collecting and managing data much easier compared to coding the backend yourself.
Key Benefits of Using Form Creators
There are many advantages to using dedicated form building software instead of hand coding forms:
- Saves time - No need to write HTML, CSS, JavaScript. Drag-and-drop form creation is much faster. JotForm claims users can create forms 5x faster than coding.
- Easy customization - Easily add, edit, delete fields and change styling without touching code. Reorder fields by dragging and dropping.
- Built-in templates - Many tools include pre-made templates for common use cases like contact forms, surveys, and event registrations.
- Validation and spam blocking - Forms come with auto validation and bot detection like CAPTCHAs.
- Integrations - Connect to third-party apps like Salesforce, MailChimp, Slack to manage data.
- Mobile friendly - Forms work seamlessly on all mobile devices with auto-resizing.
Top Use Cases and Examples
Some of the most popular uses for online forms created with form builders include:
- User surveys & feedback collection (Airbnb uses Typeform)
- Registration for events/courses (Wufoo used by General Assembly)
- Lead and contact collection
- Job applications
- Online orders and payments
- Quizzes and assessments
Important Features to Look For
When evaluating form creators, keep an eye out for these key features:
- Drag and drop interface - For quick form building without coding. Look for an intuitive, easy to use builder.
- Mobile responsiveness - Forms should work on any device. See if mobile-friendly is set by default.
- Custom CSS - For branding forms with custom styling. Check if custom CSS is available to match branding.
- Conditional logic - Show/hide fields based on previous answers. Allows for adaptive, smart forms.
- Email notifications - Get alerts when forms are submitted. Essential for lead follow up.
- Data integration & exports - Connect to databases and export raw data. Critical for lead management platforms.
Limitations to Keep in Mind
Form builders can simplify form creation, but they do have some limitations:
- Steep learning curve for advanced features like conditional logic
- Additional costs for extra functionality like removals of branding
- Reliant on vendor for updates and feature improvements
- May still require coding for very complex, dynamic forms
- Limited style customization in basic plans without custom CSS options
- Risk of vendor lock-in if exporting data is difficult
Top Form Building Tools Compared
Here is an overview of some of the top form creation tools on the market and how they compare:
JotForm
JotForm is a popular form builder claiming users can create forms 5x faster than coding.
Key Features:
- Drag and drop form builder with 2000+ templates
- Free plan for basic forms with JotForm branding
- Paid plans add custom domains, priority support
- Integrates with Zapier, PayPal, Stripe, Salesforce
Limitations:
- Limits on number of fields and monthly entries for free tier
Wufoo
Wufoo offers a simple and intuitive form builder good for beginners.
Key Features:
- Simple and intuitive form builder for beginners
- Selection of form themes and templates
- Free plan allows 100 entries per month
- Paid plans start at $15/month with more fields
- Embed forms easily into websites
Typeform
Typeform differentiates itself with conversational, interactive style forms.
Key Features:
- Conversational, interactive style forms
- Engaging designs and templates
- Advanced analytics and reporting
- Free for basic forms with branding
- Paid plans for removing branding
FormStack
FormStack is feature-rich for advanced forms and enterprise needs.
Key Features:
- Robust feature set for advanced forms
- Enterprise-level capabilities
- Integrations with Salesforce, HubSpot, Slack
- HIPAA compliant for healthcare forms
- Higher learning curve than other tools
Gravity Forms (WordPress)
Gravity Forms is a popular WordPress form plugin used by over 5 million sites.
Key Features:
- Easy to embed forms into WordPress
- Drag and drop builder with editor
- Paid plans start at $39/year
- Requires self-hosted WordPress site
DevHunt (Launchpad)
The DevHunt launchpad provides free listings to showcase developer tools like form builders.
Key Features:
- Platform for launching developer tools
- Showcase and promote your form product
- Get feedback from the dev community
- Free and open listings for all tools
- Requirements: tool must be available to users
Key Evaluation Criteria
When researching form builders, consider these key criteria:
Usability
Look for an intuitive drag-and-drop interface with inline help documentation for easily building forms without coding expertise. Ability to preview forms during creation is also key.
Templates
Pre-made templates allow creating common form types like contact forms quickly. Modern, mobile-friendly designs that are customizable help forms match branding.
Mobile Friendliness
Forms should work seamlessly on all mobile devices with automatic resizing and touch friendly controls. Mobile responsiveness ensures completion rates aren’t impacted.
Data Collection
The ability to store, manage, and export form data is essential. Email alerts and integrations with CRMs facilitate analyzing and acting on submissions.
Security
Protections like CAPTCHA and SSL encryption are needed to prevent spam and ensure secure data. HIPAA compliance may be required for health forms.
Support
Comprehensive documentation, forums, email support and ticketing systems are expected. Phone or live chat indicates better premium tiers.
Conclusion and Key Takeaways
Form building software provides a fast way to easily create customized online forms without coding for uses like data collection and lead generation. Leading options were covered, along with criteria to evaluate your needs.
Key takeaways include assessing the usability, templates, mobile friendliness, data capabilities, security and support offered. Choosing the right platform like JotForm or Wufoo can save significant development time.
For developers looking to build and launch their own specialized form solution, consider showcasing it on the DevHunt launchpad to get added exposure and feedback from the community.