Using Data Collection Forms

If you have a company, a non-profit, a Scout troop, or a soccer team, you sometimes need to collect information from people. Whether it be times for an appointment, a t-shirt order, or some other mundane task, it’s simply a fact of life. While there are quite a few webform apps out there, we are going to cover a few options we have tested and used to help you collect the data you need in today’s digital world in a safe, easy, and efficient manner.

Google Forms

Google Forms may be one of the best known applications for creating simple forms online to collect information. As with most of Google’s apps, it’s free to use. It is also relatively easy to learn and you can collect responses using short answers, paragraphs, multiple choice, checkboxes, dropdowns, file uploads, linear scales, multiple choice grids, checkbox grids, dates, and time. You can make responses required or not required. Images and videos can be inserted into the form. Some conditional logic that will take you to separate sections of a form based on answers can be used. It has some limited customization options such as colors from a selected color palette. A custom header is possible to use, but a very common complaint to google is how hard it is to make it look right. It’s usually best to only use the built in header images. The data generated can be viewed either as a chart, as individual responses, or as a Google sheet (spreadsheet format). One important drawback is that Forms aren’t dynamic. In other words, if you input data on the form, nothing on the form changes. For example, it won’t perform calculations. You can use the results on the spreadsheet to perform calculations, but you’ll need to create your own formulas for that to work.
 

JotForm

JotForm is another free online tool that allows you to create custom forms to collect data. Compared to Google Forms, it’s considerably more complex to learn and use. However, with that complexity comes more features. JotForm uses many of the same features that Google uses, however, it also offers widgets that allow you to collect signatures, perform dynamic calculations, i-frame embedding, etc. There are literally thousands of pre-made templates, which is handy when you’re trying to create a form. Why re-invent the wheel, if someone has already figured out how to do what you’re trying to do. Choose a template that’s close to what you want and edit it to match what you want to achieve. JotForm also offers the ability to collect payments for things such as t-shirt orders. They currently offer 30+ payment options using such popular choices as PayPal, Square, and Stripe. They don’t offer the use of Visa, Mastercard, or Venmo.
 

Microsoft Forms

Of the applications we’ve tested, we liked Microsoft Forms the least. Unfortunately, you must have an Office 365 account to create forms using this application, however, anyone can fill out the forms. The functionality and ease of use are very similar to Google Forms. And if you prefer using Excel over Google Forms, it pulls the data into that application for you. MS Forms does allow the use of embed codes, so you can present your form on a website.
 

AgileSite Forms

WTE’s website platform, AgileSite, also has the ability to use forms. If you have an AgileSite, we can help you create custom forms to collect data from your customers, run polls, schedule appointments, or even take online payments. We can even add automation behind the form to do things like send SMS messages, trigger other events, or emails. AgileSite forms can drive elements like online directories and guides. Please email sales@wte.net if you have questions about that and we can provide you with an estimate of what it would cost to create a custom form for you.

***Please note, due to many reports of another form site, SignUpGenius, selling personal data, we’re not suggesting you use their free version. Please always check the privacy policy of any app you use.