Hello everyone, in this article, we will compare two popular WordPress form builder plugins: Contact Form 7 and Zigaform. Contact Form 7 is well-known and widely used, but how does it stack up against Zigaform? Let’s dive into the details.
Setting Up Contact Form 7
First, let’s look at Contact Form 7.
Installation and Activation:
Search for “Contact Form 7” in the WordPress plugin repository.
Install and activate the plugin.
Once activated, you will see new options in the WordPress sidebar under “Contact.”
Creating a Form:
Navigate to the Contact section and create a new form.
The interface is code-based, where you manually add form fields using shortcodes.
Basic fields like text input and submit buttons are added via simple shortcodes.
Customization:
You can edit mail settings to configure email notifications for form submissions.
Additional settings can be managed through snippets, but customization requires HTML and CSS knowledge.
Styling the form requires manual CSS, which can be time-consuming.
Form Testing:
After creating the form, save it and use the generated shortcode to embed it in a post or page.
Test the form to ensure it functions correctly, displaying success messages upon submission.
Overall, Contact Form 7 is straightforward but limited in customization and ease of use, particularly for beginners.
Setting Up Zigaform
Now, let’s test Zigaform and see how it compares.
Installation and Activation:
Search for “Zigaform” in the WordPress plugin repository.
Install and activate the plugin.
After activation, Zigaform options will appear in the WordPress sidebar.
Creating a Form:
Click on “Zigaform Lite” and then “Add New Form.”
Name your form, for example, “Contact Form.”
The interface is visual and drag-and-drop, making it easy to use. Select from pre-designed templates or start from scratch.
Customization:
Add fields by dragging and dropping them from the left section. For example, add radio buttons labeled “Services” or a select list for “Products.”
Customize each field by clicking on it and setting options such as required fields, IDs, and classes.
Use the real-time visual editor to style your form without coding. Change background colors, font styles, and more directly within the editor.
Advanced Features:
Set up email notifications and customize success messages easily.
Use built-in features like reCAPTCHA for spam protection, custom CSS and JavaScript for advanced customization, and PDF record-keeping.
Change the form’s skin and layout with a few clicks.
Form Testing:
Save the form and use the generated shortcode to embed it in a post or page.
Test the form to see how it handles submissions, displays success messages, and ensures validation (e.g., required email fields).
Comparison
User Interface:
Contact Form 7: Code-based, requires HTML and CSS knowledge for customization.
Zigaform: Visual drag-and-drop interface, beginner-friendly, and no coding required.
Customization:
Contact Form 7: Limited, manual CSS needed for styling.
Zigaform: Extensive options within the visual editor, including color, font, and layout changes.
Advanced Features:
Contact Form 7: Basic form functionality, additional features require plugins.
Zigaform: Built-in advanced features like conditional logic, multi-step forms, and media embedding.
Form Creation and Management:
Contact Form 7: Simple forms created via shortcodes, manual management.
Zigaform: Easy form creation with drag-and-drop, comprehensive management tools, import/export options.
Spam Protection:
Contact Form 7: Basic reCAPTCHA support.
Zigaform: Advanced spam protection with reCAPTCHA and other tools.
Conclusion
While Contact Form 7 is a reliable and widely-used plugin, Zigaform offers a superior form-building experience with its user-friendly interface, extensive customization options, and advanced features. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user, Zigaform provides the tools you need to create professional and functional forms for your WordPress site.
