How to Create Custom Contact Forms in WordPress (Step-by-Step Guide)

Creating custom contact forms in WordPress is one of the most effective ways to improve user interaction and streamline communication on your site. Whether you want to collect feedback, process inquiries, or allow users to register for events — a tailored contact form can make a big difference.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to create a custom contact form in WordPress, using popular plugins and a few tips to make your forms both functional and user-friendly.

Why Create a Custom Contact Form?

While default contact forms often get the job done, a custom form gives you complete control over:

Fields and layout – only ask for the data you actually need.
Styling – match the form to your branding.
Functionality – trigger emails, save submissions, connect to CRM tools, and more.

Tools You’ll Need

To build a custom form without coding, you’ll need a form builder plugin. Some of the most popular options are:

WPForms (Beginner-friendly, drag & drop)
Formidable Forms (Advanced features & calculations)
Gravity Forms (Highly customizable, premium)
Contact Form 7 (Free, but less intuitive)

In this tutorial, we’ll use WPForms because of its ease of use and flexibility — perfect for beginners and pros alike.

Step 1: Install a Contact Form Plugin

Go to your WordPress dashboard.
Navigate to Plugins > Add New.
Search for “WPForms” and click Install Now.
Once installed, click Activate.

Step 2: Create a New Custom Form

After activation, go to WPForms > Add New.
Choose a template (e.g. Simple Contact Form) or start from scratch.
Give your form a name (e.g. “Business Inquiry Form”).

Step 3: Customize Your Form Fields

Now it’s time to tailor the form to your needs:

Add new fields (e.g., dropdowns, checkboxes, phone number).
Drag to reorder fields.
Click on any field to customize its label, description, or required status.
For advanced users: Use conditional logic to show/hide fields based on user choices.

Example fields for a custom inquiry form:

Name
Email
Phone (optional)
Service Interested In (dropdown)
Message
Preferred Contact Time (date/time picker)

Step 4: Configure Settings

Go to the Settings tab to adjust:

Notifications: Set where form submissions are emailed. You can add multiple recipients or send auto-confirmation emails to users.
Confirmations: Choose whether to show a thank-you message, redirect to a custom page, or send the user to a specific URL.
Spam Protection: Enable honeypot or Google reCAPTCHA to avoid spam.

Step 5: Add the Form to a Page or Post

Once your form is ready:

Click Embed at the top of the WPForms editor.
Choose an existing page or create a new one.
The plugin will automatically insert the form shortcode.

Alternatively, you can use the WPForms block in the WordPress block editor:

Edit your page or post.
Click the + icon to add a block.
Search for “WPForms” and select your form.

Step 6: Test Your Form

Before publishing, always test your form:

Fill it out as a user would.
Submit the form.
Check that you receive the notification email.
Verify that the confirmation message or page works as expected.

Bonus Tips

Style your form: Use the built-in style options or add custom CSS to match your theme.
Connect to other tools: Integrate your form with Mailchimp, Zapier, or Google Sheets.
Track submissions: View form entries in the WPForms dashboard or export them as CSV.

Final Thoughts

Creating a custom contact form in WordPress doesn’t require any coding knowledge — just the right plugin and a bit of time. With a tool like WPForms, you can build powerful, professional forms that meet your exact needs and improve user experience on your site.

Whether you’re running a business website, blog, or portfolio, a customized form is a must-have for clear communication.

Ready to build your own?

Start with WPForms or your preferred plugin — and don’t forget to test before you publish!

Need help picking the right plugin? Or want a tutorial using Gravity Forms or Formidable Forms instead? Let me know!