Create a form

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How to Create a Form in ActiveCampaign

Introduction

Creating forms in ActiveCampaign is crucial for collecting and managing contact information. These forms allow businesses to subscribe users to their email and SMS marketing lists directly. With the ability to customize forms, businesses can capture essential customer data and update their marketing strategies accordingly. Understanding how to effectively create and implement forms is key to enhancing user engagement and expanding contact lists.

How to Access This Feature

To access the form creation feature in ActiveCampaign, navigate to the left menu and select **Website**, then click on **Forms**. This will take you to the forms dashboard where you can create new forms or manage existing ones.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Create a New Form

1. Click **Website** > **Forms** on the left menu. 2. Click the **Create new form** button. 3. Enter a name for your form in the provided field and select your desired form style. Remember, available styles may vary based on your ActiveCampaign plan.

Step 2: Configure Form Actions

4. Click the **Action** dropdown to select what action the form will trigger. Options include:

  * **Subscribe to a list** - This subscribes contacts to your email marketing list. You can choose between a double opt-in (default) or single opt-in.
  * **Subscribe to an SMS list** - This subscribes contacts to an SMS marketing list.
  * **Add a tag** - Adds a specific tag to contacts who submit the form.
  * **Add to a deal** - Creates a new deal for each contact who submits the form.
  * **Email results** - Sends notifications to specified team members each time a contact submits the form.

5. Select the appropriate option from the **Form Action** dropdown, which will vary depending on your previous action selection. 6. Click the **Create form** button. The form builder interface will load, allowing you to customize your form further.

Step 3: Add Fields to Your Form

You can add various fields based on the form type you selected.

Modal, Floating Box, and Floating Bar Forms

You may collect:

• Name
• Phone
• Email

• Note: An email address or phone number is required to create a contact.*

To add fields: 1. From the form builder, click the **Options** tab. 2. Use the toggles in the **Fields** section to make the **Name** and **Phone** fields visible.

Inline Forms

Inline forms allow for collecting more comprehensive data, including contact fields, account fields, and custom object fields.

To add an inline field: 1. Ensure the **Fields** tab is selected in the right menu. 2. Choose the desired field category and expand it. 3. Drag the field to your form.

Step 4: Make Fields Required

You can make fields required by: 1. Clicking the **Options** tab for Modal, Floating Box, and Floating Bar forms, then selecting the **Required** checkbox. 2. For Inline forms, click your field, then check the **Required** box in the right menu.

Step 5: Customize Form Settings

Configure the following settings to enhance your form:

• **Allow blank fields to overwrite existing data** - Toggle this option under the **Options** tab in the **Advanced** section to prevent overwriting existing data.
• Change **Default Text** and **Headers** for each field by modifying the **Default Text** field when selecting an input field in the form builder.
• Customize form design (background images, colors, font types, etc.) through the **Style** tab.

Step 6: Control Form Appearance and Messaging

You can customize how your form appears and what messages users see upon submission:

• To show a thank you message or redirect to a URL upon submission, access the **Options** tab and modify the **On Submit** section.
• Configure how the form appears (modal, floating box, etc.) and its behavior as visitors interact with your site.

Configuration Options

While creating your form, you will encounter several key configuration options:

• **Form Actions**: Choose how submissions are handled, such as subscribing to lists and adding tags.
• **Allowed Fields**: Depending on the form type, you can select required fields such as **Name**, **Phone**, and **Email**.
• **Field Settings**: Customize each field's **Default Text** and whether it is required.
• **Form Style**: Manage settings like background images, colors, and hiding options for floating forms.

Best Practices

• Ensure that all forms are aligned with your marketing objectives.
• Utilize double opt-in where applicable to confirm subscriptions and improve email deliverability.
• Customize the thank you messages to enhance user experience and engagement.
• Regularly review and clean your contact lists to maintain data quality.

Troubleshooting

Should you run into issues while creating a form, consider the following:

• Ensure your ActiveCampaign plan allows for the specific form style and functionality you are trying to implement.
• Check user permissions if you encounter access issues.
• Verify that all required fields are filled appropriately before submission.

Related Features

• Email Marketing – Utilize forms for effective list building.
• SMS Marketing – Explore SMS lists for engaging contacts via mobile.
• Automations – Automate follow-ups based on form submissions.

FAQ

• Q: Can I customize the appearance of my forms?

 A: Yes, you can customize the form's look by changing colors, images, and fonts.

• Q: What types of information can I collect using forms?

 A: You can collect names, phone numbers, emails, and more, depending on the form type chosen.

• Q: Is it possible to use custom fields?

 A: Yes, inline forms support custom fields which can be added directly to the form.

• Q: How do I share my form once created?

 A: Publish your form using an embed code, a direct link, or via integrations such as WordPress and Facebook.

• Q: What is the opt-in process?

 A: The opt-in process is the way you gain consent from contacts to send them marketing communications.

• Q: Can I remove ActiveCampaign branding from my forms?

 A: Yes, branding can be removed if you are subscribed to the Plus, Professional, or Enterprise plans.

• Q: Are there limits on the number of fields I can use in my form?

 A: There are no hard limits; it depends on the form type and your ActiveCampaign subscription plan.

This guide serves as a resource for understanding how to effectively create and manage forms within ActiveCampaign, ensuring users can optimize their engagement strategies seamlessly. ```