There are many types of forms you can use to gather information for your content marketing efforts, from simple contact forms to detailed surveys. Using an online form builder makes it easy to create and customize these forms for any purpose. Knowing which type of form to use is key to collecting the right data and making the process easy for your users. This guide will walk you through different form types, helping you choose the best one for your specific needs.

Understanding the various forms available will empower you to create better experiences for your audience and elevate your marketing strategy. Whether you need to generate leads, gather feedback, by creating a poll or process orders, the right form makes all the difference. Let’s explore the options and find the perfect fit for your goals.

New to online forms? Check out our step-by-step guide on how to create an online form.

TL;DR: 12 types of forms

This post covers 12 different types of forms, with examples ranging from professional and modern to minimal and creative. You'll find everything from lead generation forms to payment forms, each designed for a specific purpose.

Different form type and their use cases

Form type	Best for
Contact forms	General inquiries and communication
Lead generation forms	Capturing potential customer information
Registration forms	Signing up for events or services
Order forms	Processing customer purchases
Survey forms	Collecting feedback and opinions
Application forms	Gathering detailed applicant information
Feedback forms	Getting specific user input on products
Quiz forms	Engaging users and testing knowledge
Donation forms	Collecting charitable contributions
Subscription forms	Signing users up for newsletters
Booking forms	Scheduling appointments or reservations
Payment forms	Securely processing payments

12 types of forms

1. Contact forms

2. Lead generation forms

3. Registration forms

4. Order forms

5. Survey forms

6. 06. Application forms

7. Feedback forms

8. Quiz forms

9. Donation forms

10. Subscription forms

11. Booking forms

12. Payment forms

01. Contact forms

Contact forms are the digital equivalent of a business card. They offer a simple way for visitors to get in touch with you directly from your website. Typically, they include fields for a name, email address and a message. They’re essential for customer service and general inquiries.

02. Lead generation forms

Lead generation forms are designed to capture information from potential customers. These forms often offer something valuable in return, like an ebook, webinar or free trial. They usually ask for more details than a contact form, such as company name or job title, to help qualify leads.

03. Registration forms

When you organize an event, webinar or workshop, you need a registration form. These forms collect attendee information, helping you manage headcount and logistics. They can range from simple sign-ups to more complex forms that include session choices and payment options.

04. Order forms

Order forms are crucial for e-commerce businesses. They allow customers to purchase products or services directly from your site. A well-designed order form makes the checkout process smooth, capturing shipping details, product selections and payment information securely.

05. Survey forms

If you want to understand your audience's thoughts and opinions, survey forms are the way to go. You can use them for market research, customer satisfaction or employee feedback. Survey ideas and examples can include various question types, like multiple-choice, ratings and open-ended questions.

Learn more about how to make a survey with Wixel.

06. Application forms

Application forms are used to collect detailed information for specific purposes, such as job openings, school admissions or grant proposals. These forms are often lengthy and require applicants to provide comprehensive details about their qualifications and background.

07. Feedback forms

Feedback forms are a direct line to understanding your user's experience. Placed on a website or sent after a purchase, they gather specific input on a product, service or feature. This targeted information is invaluable for making improvements and boosting customer satisfaction.

08. Quiz forms

Quiz forms are a fun and interactive content idea to engage your audience. They can be used for educational purposes, entertainment or to guide users to the right product. By making the experience enjoyable, you can capture valuable data without it feeling like a chore.

09. Donation forms

For non-profits and fundraisers, donation forms are essential. They provide a secure and straightforward way for supporters to contribute financially. A good donation form inspires trust and makes the giving process as simple as possible.

10. Subscription forms

Subscription forms are your gateway to building an email list. Typically used for newsletters or content updates, they ask for an email address to keep users engaged with your brand. They’re often short and placed prominently on a website to encourage sign-ups.

11. Booking forms

Booking forms allow clients to schedule appointments, reserve tables or book services online. They streamline the scheduling process, reducing administrative work. Integrating a calendar can show real-time availability, making it convenient for both you and your customers.

12. Payment forms

Payment forms facilitate secure online transactions. Whether it's for a product, service or subscription, these forms need to be trustworthy and easy to use. They handle sensitive information, so ensuring security with SSL certificates and clear field labels is critical.

Benefits of forms

Forms are a powerful tool for any business. They streamline data collection, making it easy to gather consistent and organized information from your audience. This automation saves time and reduces manual entry errors, freeing you up to focus on more important tasks.

They also improve the user experience by providing a structured way for people to interact with your business. Whether they're asking a question, placing an order or giving feedback, a clear form guides them through the process. This leads to higher engagement and better customer relationships.

Challenges of forms

One of the biggest challenges with forms is form abandonment. Roughly 34% of users abandon a form before completing it. If a form is too long, confusing or asks for sensitive information too early, users might leave without completing it. It’s a delicate balance to get the data you need without overwhelming your audience.

Another challenge is ensuring the security of the data you collect. With growing concerns about privacy, it's essential to protect user information. This means using secure connections, being transparent about how you use data and complying with regulations like GDPR.

Learn more about how to create a questionnaire.

How to choose the right form

Choosing the right form starts with defining your goal. What information do you need and why do you need it? Once you have a clear objective, you can select the form type that best matches your purpose. For example, if you want to grow your email list, a subscription form is the obvious choice.

Keep your audience in mind when it comes to form design. The form should be simple and intuitive for them to use. Only ask for essential information to reduce friction. With the right design platform, you can use templates and an AI assistant to create the perfect form for any goal, ensuring you get the results you want with confidence.

Types of forms FAQ

How many fields should a form have?

The ideal number of fields depends on your goal. For lead generation, fewer fields (3-5) often lead to higher conversion rates. For more complex processes like applications, more fields are necessary. The key is to only ask for what's essential to avoid overwhelming the user.

What is the best format for a form?

The best format is clear, simple and easy to navigate. A single-column layout is often best for mobile devices. Use clear labels, logical grouping of fields and a visible call-to-action button. Multi-step forms can also be effective for longer processes, as they break the form into manageable chunks.

Where should you place a form on a website?

Placement depends on the form's purpose. Contact and subscription forms work well in the website footer or as a dedicated "Contact Us" page. Lead generation forms are effective on landing pages, blog posts or as pop-ups. For order and booking forms, they should be a seamless part of the checkout or scheduling process.