form backend tutorial

Build website forms easily: fabform.io back-end form service getting started guide

Creating forms on your website, whether for collecting contact information, feedback, or event registration, can be tricky without a backend to process the form data. don’t worry! Using fabform.io as your form backend is a simple and efficient way.

This guide will walk you through how to seamlessly create and manage website forms using fabform.io as your form backend. You'll see how it saves you time and energy, so let's get started!

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What is a form backend?

A form backend is a service used to process information submitted through website forms. When someone fills out a form and clicks "submit," the form backend is responsible for receiving and storing the data, sending it to your inbox, or triggering other actions, such as sending a confirmation email to the user. You can think of it as a digital middleman between the form and what you want to do with the data.

fabform.io is a popular choice. By using fabform.io as your form backend, you avoid writing complex code behind the scenes and get up and running in no time.

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Step 1: Register form backend service

The first step is to create an account using the forms backend service. There are a few options, but we'll use fabform.io here because it's easy to set up and offers great functionality.

1. Create Account: Go to the fabform.io website and register by providing a valid email address and create an account password.
2. Verify your email: Some services (including fabform.io) will ask you to verify your email address. Just click the link in your inbox to confirm your account.

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Step 2: Create a new form

Once logged in, it’s time to create your first form! Here’s how to get started:

1. Start a new project: On the dashboard of your fabform.io account, look for the "Create New Form" button and click on it.
2. Select your form type: Depending on your needs, you can choose from form templates, for example:
   • Contact form (for general inquiries)
   • Questionnaire (used to collect feedback)
   • Event registration form
   • Custom form (for any other use case)
3. Add form fields: Using the drag and drop editor you can easily add the following fields:
   • Text input fields (for name, email address, etc.)
   • Text area (for longer messages)
   • Checkboxes, radio buttons and dropdowns (for selection and multiple options)

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Step 3: Customize the appearance of the form

The design of the form is very important to the user experience. Many form backend platforms (including fabform.io) allow you to customize the appearance of your form to match your brand style:

1. Style your form: Modify the colors, fonts, and layout to fit your brand. Change the background color, adjust button styles or add your logo.
2. Preview the form: Before completing, be sure to preview the form to see how it will appear on your website.

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Step 4: Get the form endpoint

Once the form is ready, the next step is to connect it to your website. This requires an endpoint - a URL provided by your form backend to which form data is sent when a user submits the form.

1. Find form endpoint: After saving the form, look for "Form Endpoint" or "Action URL" in your form backend settings. This is where the form data will be sent to.
2. Copy endpoint: Copy this URL – you’ll need to add it to your website’s form code.

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Step 5: Integrate the form with your website

Now, it’s time to add the form to your website. This step involves embedding the form's HTML code:

1. Create your HTML form: Here is a sample HTML code for your form:

<form action="YOUR_FORM_BACKEND_URL" method="post">
  <!-- Your form fields here -->
  <button type="submit">Submit</button>
</form>

1. Insert Endpoint URL: In the <form></form> tag, replace "YOUR_FORM_BACKEND_URL" with the endpoint URL you copied earlier.
2. Add the form to your website : If you are using a website builder (like WordPress or Wix), just embed the HTML code into your page. For custom HTML, paste the code directly into your website and publish.

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Step 6: Test your form

Be sure to test your form before going live:

1. Fill out the form: Go to your website, fill in the form fields, and click "Submit."
2. Check your notifications: If you have set up notifications or alerts, make sure you receive form submissions.
3. View Submissions: You can also check your fabform.io account to view all form submissions.

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Step 7: Add extra features (optional)

Want to take your forms to the next level? Many form backend platforms, including fabform.io, offer additional features to enhance your forms:

1. Spam Protection: Add CAPTCHA or honeypot fields to prevent bots.
2. Custom Thank You Page: Redirect the user to the thank you page after submitting the form.
3. Data Export: Export submissions to CSV or Excel files for easier tracking and analysis.
4. API Integration: If you need more advanced features, you can integrate with other systems through API.

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Conclusion

That’s it! You have successfully used fabform.io as your form backend to create and integrate forms into your website. This method allows you to manage form data without writing any backend code. Whether you're collecting contact information, feedback, or event registration, fabform.io makes the process simple and efficient.

Now you can focus on improving your website and enhancing user experience while fabform.io handles all backend tasks.

Happy form building and all the best to your website!

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