How to Create a Custom Form in Shopify

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Understanding Shopify Forms
3. Steps to Create a Custom Form in Shopify
4. Best Practices for Creating Custom Forms
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
6. Conclusion

Introduction

Have you ever wondered how to create a custom form in Shopify that perfectly matches your store's aesthetic and functionality needs? Custom forms are not only vital for capturing customer information and feedback but also play a critical role in extending your store's capabilities. Whether it's a simple contact form, an order form, or a survey to gain insights from your customers, creating custom forms can significantly enhance user experience and streamline your business processes.

In this blog post, we will guide you through the steps to create a custom form in Shopify. We will cover various methods, including using Shopify's built-in tools, leveraging Liquid for more advanced customizations, and utilizing third-party apps. By the end of this post, you'll have a solid understanding of how to create and manage custom forms tailored to your specific needs.

Understanding Shopify Forms

Before diving into the creation process, it's essential to understand the types of forms you can create in Shopify and their applications. Shopify supports various form types such as popup forms, inline forms, and more structured forms for customer registrations, product customizations, and feedback collection.

Form Types

1. Popup Forms: Ideal for capturing email subscriptions or special offers.
2. Inline Forms: Designed to blend seamlessly within your website's content, perfect for contact forms or surveys.
3. Custom Forms: Created using Liquid, these forms provide more flexibility and can collect specific data tailored to your business needs.

Steps to Create a Custom Form in Shopify

Step 1: Using Shopify's Built-in Form Feature

Shopify allows for the creation of basic forms using its built-in features. Here's how you can create a simple contact form:

1. Log in to Shopify Admin: Navigate to your Shopify admin panel.
2. Go to Online Store > Pages: Click on "Create Page" to start a new page.
3. Switch to HTML Editor: Use the HTML editor to embed your form code. Shopify provides a liquid template for contact forms.

For example, a basic contact form in Liquid might look like this:

<form method="post" action="/contact#contact_form" id="contact_form" accept-charset="UTF-8" class="contact-form"><input type="hidden" name="form_type" value="contact" /><input type="hidden" name="utf8" value="✓" />
  <label for="ContactFormName" class="hidden-label">Name</label>
  <input type="text" id="ContactFormName" name="contact[name]" placeholder="Your Name" autocorrect="off" autocapitalize="off" />
  
  <label for="ContactFormEmail" class="hidden-label">Email</label>
  <input type="email" id="ContactFormEmail" name="contact[email]" placeholder="Your Email" autocorrect="off" autocapitalize="off" />

  <label for="ContactFormMessage" class="hidden-label">Message</label>
  <textarea rows="10" id="ContactFormMessage" name="contact[body]" placeholder="Your Message"></textarea>
  
  <input type="submit" class="btn" value="Send" />
</form>

Fill in the respective fields and customize them as per your requirements. Save the page and navigate to its URL to see the form live.

Step 2: Leverage Liquid for Advanced Customizations

For more complex requirements, you can use Liquid, Shopify's templating language, to create custom forms. Liquid enables dynamic form generation and handling, providing greater control and customization.

Example: Creating a custom order form using Liquid

1. Create a New Template: In your Shopify admin, go to Online Store > Themes > Actions > Edit Code.

2. Add a New Template: Under the "Templates" section, click "Add a new template" and select "page," giving it a name like "custom-order."

3. Insert the Form Code: Use Liquid to create the form dynamically:

<form method="post" action="/contact#custom_order_form" id="custom_order_form" accept-charset="UTF-8" class="custom-order-form"><input type="hidden" name="form_type" value="contact" /><input type="hidden" name="utf8" value="✓" />
  <label for="CustomOrderFormName" class="hidden-label">Name</label>
  <input type="text" id="CustomOrderFormName" name="contact[name]" placeholder="Your Name" />
  
  <label for="CustomOrderFormEmail" class="hidden-label">Email</label>
  <input type="email" id="CustomOrderFormEmail" name="contact[email]" placeholder="Your Email" />

  <label for="CustomOrderFormProduct" class="hidden-label">Product</label>
  <input type="text" id="CustomOrderFormProduct" name="contact[product]" placeholder="Product to Customize" />

  <label for="CustomOrderFormDetails" class="hidden-label">Details</label>
  <textarea id="CustomOrderFormDetails" name="contact[details]" placeholder="Customization Details"></textarea>
  
  <input type="submit" class="btn" value="Submit Order Request" />
</form>

This code sets up a basic custom order form, allowing customers to input their customization details which then get sent to your store's contact handling method.

Step 3: Utilizing Third-Party Form Builder Apps

For those who prefer not to code, several third-party apps simplify the form creation process. One such app is 123FormBuilder. It allows you to build forms via a drag-and-drop interface and integrate them seamlessly with your Shopify store.

How to Use 123FormBuilder:

1. Install the App: Go to the Shopify App Store and find 123FormBuilder. Install it on your Shopify store.
2. Create a Form: Use the drag-and-drop editor to create the form that fits your needs—whether it’s a contact form, order form, or survey.
3. Customize and Publish: Customize the form fields, add rules, and design elements according to your brand. Once ready, publish the form and embed it into your Shopify store.

Best Practices for Creating Custom Forms

1. User-Friendly Design: Ensure your form is easy to fill out—use clear labels, placeholders, and intuitive layout.
2. Data Security: Secure customer data by implementing HTTPS and using GDPR and HIPAA compliant tools if required.
3. Validation and Feedback: Implement real-time field validation and provide feedback messages for errors and successful submissions.
4. Mobile Responsiveness: Design forms to be mobile-friendly, ensuring they work smoothly on all devices.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does Shopify have a form builder?

Shopify offers basic built-in form functionality for simple forms. For advanced features, third-party form builders like 123FormBuilder offer extensive capabilities.

How do I create a custom form in Shopify?

You can create a custom form by using Shopify's built-in HTML editing, leveraging Liquid for advanced forms, or using third-party apps like 123FormBuilder.

How do I create a fillable form in Shopify?

You can create a fillable form using Shopify’s Liquid code, or by employing third-party apps like 123FormBuilder which offer a drag-and-drop form creation interface.

Conclusion

Creating custom forms in Shopify can greatly enhance your store's interactivity and customer engagement. Whether you're looking to add a simple contact form or a more complex custom order form, Shopify provides the flexibility and tools necessary to tailor these forms to your needs. By understanding and utilizing both built-in features and third-party apps, you ensure that your forms are not only functional but also elegantly integrated into your store. Through this guide, we've equipped you with the knowledge to create and manage custom forms effectively—opening new avenues for interaction, data collection, and customer satisfaction. Happy form building!