How to Create a Contact Form in Joomla or WordPress Using ChronoForms8

In this guide, you’ll learn how to create a custom contact form using ChronoForms8, a powerful form builder that works seamlessly with both Joomla and WordPress. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned webmaster, you’ll find the process straightforward—no coding required! We’ll also cover how to set up spam protection and ensure your form emails are delivered reliably. Let’s get started!

Why You Need a Contact Form on Your Website

Before diving into the how-to, let’s quickly cover why a contact form is essential:

• Convenience for Visitors: Users can message you directly from your site without opening their email client or copying your address.
• Spam Protection: Forms can include tools like CAPTCHA to block bots, keeping your inbox clean.
• Professional Appearance: A well-designed form boosts your site’s credibility and user experience.
• Email Notifications: Get instant alerts when someone submits a form, so you can respond quickly.
• Save form data: Form submissions are saved to protect against any email delievery issues.
• Marketing Integrations: Easily connect your form to email marketing tools (e.g., Mailchimp) to grow your list.

With these benefits in mind, let’s see why ChronoForms8 is the perfect tool for the job.

Why Choose ChronoForms8 for Your Contact Form?

ChronoForms8 is a versatile form builder that works on both Joomla and WordPress, making it ideal for users who manage multiple sites or plan to switch platforms. Here’s why it stands out:

• Cross-Platform Support: Use the same form builder for Joomla and WordPress—no need to learn two tools.
• Drag-and-Drop Interface: Create forms easily with a visual builder, no coding needed.
• Advanced Features: Add conditional logic, multi-page forms, and more for complex needs.
• Email Flexibility: Send customized emails to admins and users, with support for ChronoMails (a companion extension for email logging and styling).
• Free to Start: ChronoForms8 offers a free version with core features, plus affordable premium options for extra functionality.

Now, let’s walk through the steps to create your contact form.

Step-by-Step Guide: Creating a Contact Form with ChronoForms8

Whether you’re using Joomla or WordPress, the process is similar. We’ll cover both platforms below.

For Joomla Users

1. Install ChronoForms8:
   • Log in to your Joomla admin panel.
   • Go to System > Install > Extensions.
   • Choose Install From Web and search for Chronoforms then Install or Upload the ChronoForms8 package
   • Once installed, go to Components > ChronoForms8.
2. Create a New Form:
   • In the Chronoforms8 admin home page Click New to start a new form.
   • Enter a title (e.g., "Contact Form") and a unique alias (e.g., "contact-form").
   • Click Save to enable Quick Save and Preview.
3. Add Form Fields:
   • In the "Load" event, drag and drop fields from the Views box: two Text fields (Name and Email), one Textarea (Message), and one Button (Send).
   • Edit each field: set labels, names (e.g., "name", "email", "message"), and add validation rules (e.g., required, email format).
4. Configure the Send Button:
   • Edit the Button: change the label to "Send" and add an icon (e.g., "paper-plane" from Font Awesome).
5. Set Up Email Notifications:
   • Switch to the "Submit" event.
   • Drag an Email action to the Submit event.
   • Enter your admin email, subject (e.g., "New Contact Form Submission"), and body (use shortcodes like {data:name} to include form data).
6. Add a Thank You Message:
   • Drag a Message view to the Submit event to display a confirmation message after submission.
7. Embed the Form:
   • Go to Content > Articles, create or edit a page, and insert the form using the shortcode {chronoforms8}contact-form{/chronoforms8}.

For a step by step guide with images, please check this tutorial

For WordPress Users

1. Install ChronoForms8:
   • Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
   • Go to Plugins > Add New, Upload the ChronoForms8 package and click Install Now.
   • Activate the plugin and navigate to ChronoForms8 in the admin menu.
2. Create a New Form:
   • Click New Form and follow similar steps as in Joomla: add fields, configure validation, and set up the Email and Thanks Message.
3. Embed the Form:
   • Copy the form’s shortcode (e.g., [Chronoforms alias="contact-form"]) and paste it into a page or post.

Protecting Your Form from Spam

Spam is a common issue with contact forms, but ChronoForms8 makes it easy to add protection. Here’s how:

• CAPTCHA: Add a CAPTCHA field to your form to block bots. ChronoForms8 supports Google reCAPTCHA and hCaptcha.
• Honeypot: Use a hidden field that bots fill out but humans don’t, automatically filtering spam submissions.
• Validation Rules: Ensure fields like email are properly formatted to reduce invalid entries.

Ensuring Reliable Email Delivery

To make sure your form emails reach your inbox, configure SMTP settings in Joomla or WordPress. Here’s a quick overview:

• Joomla: Go to System > Global Configuration > Server > Mail Settings, select SMTP, and enter your provider’s details (e.g., GoDaddy or Hostinger).
• WordPress: Use a plugin like WP Mail SMTP to configure SMTP settings easily.

For detailed instructions, see our article on fixing SMTP issues in Joomla and WordPress.

Why ChronoForms8 Stands Out

While there are many form builders, ChronoForms8 offers unique advantages:

• Cross-Platform: Works on both Joomla and WordPress, perfect for multi-site managers.
• Advanced Customization: Use form blocks, shortcodes and conditional logic to customize the form in anyway you want.
• ChronoMails Integration: Enhance email functionality with custom templates and delivery tracking.
• Affordable: Start with the free version and upgrade as needed for premium features.

With these features, ChronoForms8 is the last form builder you’ll ever need.

Conclusion

Creating a contact form in Joomla or WordPress doesn’t have to be complicated. With ChronoForms8, you get a flexible, easy-to-use tool that works across platforms and offers advanced features for any need. Follow the steps above to set up your form, add spam protection, and ensure your emails are delivered reliably. If you have questions or run into issues, post on the forums—we’re here to help!

Happy form building!