Almost every website needs a form, but there are many options out there. Where do you start? We discuss some common form plugins and our recommendations.
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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 19:10 — 17.6MB)
The Changelog
- Doug:
- I’m hiring! If you’re interested, please see: http://podwp.com/apprentice
- Connect with me if you’re going to WordCamp NYC! @Doug_Yuen
- David:
- Question from Travis about WooCommerce reporting:
- Patrick from Speaking In Bytes: WooCommerce e-book
- The Perfect Google Analytics E-Commerce Dashboard
- fatcat apps: Building A Business Dashboard Using Google Spreadsheets
The Core
- Common WordPress form setups:
- Built into theme
- Themes should not include features (that’s what plugins are for)
- Not recommended, but if your needs are very basic, it might be enough
- Contact Form 7
- Works, but it has a weak user interface
- Doesn’t log entries in the site backend, it only emails you
- Our recommendation: pass on it, there are better free alternatives
- Ninja Forms (main website)
- Base plugin is free, with paid extensions
- Very developer friendly, easily extensible
- Gravity Forms (our affiliate link)
- Only premium, pricing tiers for more site licenses and extensions
- Well established, has been around for years
- Built into theme
- Bottom line:
- Simple contact form
- Ninja Forms
- Complex requirements
- Either Ninja Forms or Gravity Forms, depending on extensions needed
- Simple contact form
- Further reading:
- Exact feature comparison on WP Scoop
- Another comparison, also with Formidable Pro, on Chris Lema’s website
- Ninja Forms yearly report (2013)
Tips & Tricks
- Doug
- Post Snippets plugin
- Easily create your own shortcodes, you can nest other shortcodes inside it
- David
- Focus At Will – plays music that is scientifically proven for productivity
Audio Player
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 19:10 — 17.6MB)
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