How to Create a Custom Form in Zibster
Overview
Zibster Website Packages include the Form & Contract Builder, which allows you to create custom forms for your business. You can use forms for contact inquiries, client questionnaires, contracts, surveys, newsletter sign-ups, order forms, payment forms, referral forms, registrations, and more.
This guide walks you through how to create a new custom form in your Zibster account, choose a starting template, add and edit form fields, and make your completed form available to customers.
Prerequisites
Before creating your form, think about what information you need to collect and how you plan to use the form.
If your form will collect payments, make sure you have a merchant connected to your Zibster account. If you plan to charge sales tax or shipping, configure your applicable sales tax lines and shipping methods before sharing the form with customers.
If your form will be used as a contract, review your contract wording carefully before sending it to customers.
STEP ONE
Log in to your Zibster account and click FORMS in the left-side menu.
This opens the Forms Dashboard, where you can manage your forms, contracts, submissions, and form settings.
STEP TWO
Click FORMS at the top center of the Forms Dashboard.
This opens the area where you can manage your existing forms and create new ones.
STEP THREE
Click NEW at the top of the Forms control panel.
This opens the available form templates you can use as the starting point for your new form.
STEP FOUR
Choose the form template you want to use.
Zibster includes predesigned templates for common form types. Each template gives you a starting layout that can be customized after it is added.
Click SELECT on the template you want to use. The form will be added to your Forms control panel and can then be customized in the Form Builder.
FINAL STEP
After your form is created, it will automatically include the following contact fields:
- Full Name
- Phone
- Message
You can edit, rearrange, or delete these fields as needed.
To add more fields, use the form field options on the right side of the Form Builder. Available fields are organized into three sections:
- Standard Fields
- Contact Fields
- Miscellaneous
Use the available fields to build the questions, choices, payment options, agreements, and other information your form needs.
Once your form is complete, click SAVE CHANGES to save your updates.
Your form is now ready to collect submissions and can be added to your Zibster website or shared directly with customers.
Available Form Templates
When creating a new Zibster form, you can choose from several template categories. Templates provide a faster starting point, but every form can be customized to fit your workflow.
Contact
- Simple
- Service Type
- Request a Quote
Contracts
- Business Contract
- Service Request
- Job Application
Lead Capture
- Newsletter Sign-Up
- Blog Sign-Up
- Customer Survey
Payment
- Service Booking
- Custom Order
- Camp Registration
Designer
- Minimal
- Editoral
- Polka Dot
- Contemporary
- Dark
- Art Deco
What to Do Next
After your form is created, make it accessible to your existing or potential customers.
You can:
- Add the form to your Zibster website using the Form Block
- Send the form directly to a customer using Email Invitations
- Add the form to a pop-up on your Zibster website
- Share the form using its direct URL
- Share the form through email or social media
If you want customers to complete the form directly on a page of your Zibster website, use the Form Block in the Website Builder.
Additional Options and Helpful Notes
Test Your Form Before Sharing It
After saving your form, complete a test submission before sending it to customers.
Testing your form helps you confirm that your fields, required questions, conditional fields, payment options, and submission settings work the way you expect.
Forms Can Be Edited After They Are Created
You can return to the Form Builder at any time to update your form's fields, wording, settings, or layout.
Saved changes apply anywhere that form is being used, so test the form again after making significant updates.
The Same Form Can Be Used in Multiple Places
You do not need to create a separate copy of a form for every location where you want to use it.
For example, the same inquiry form can be added to your Zibster website with a Form Block, shared using its direct URL, and sent to customers using Email Invitations.
Every Form Requires an Email Field
The Email field is required on Zibster forms.
When collecting customer information such as names, email addresses, phone numbers, or addresses, use the appropriate Contact Fields when you want that contact information associated with the customer.
Organize Forms with Form Categories
If you create multiple forms, Form Categories can help you organize them by purpose, department, service, or workflow.
For example, you might create separate categories for inquiries, contracts, registrations, questionnaires, or order forms.
Learn More: How to Create Form Categories
Review Payment Settings Before Sharing Payment Forms
If your form includes payment options, make sure your merchant account is active before sharing the form.
Also review your sales tax and shipping settings if they apply to the products, services, or other items included with the form.
Troubleshooting or FAQs
Why does my form require an email field?
Every Zibster form requires an Email field. This gives each submission an email address that can be used with the submitted customer information and form activity.
Can I edit a form after I share it?
Yes. You can edit a form after it has been shared. Saved changes apply anywhere the form is currently being used.
After making significant changes, test the form again to make sure it works as expected.
Can I use the same form in more than one place?
Yes. The same Zibster form can be added to your website, shared with its direct URL, sent using Email Invitations, added to a pop-up, included in a blog post, or shared through other marketing channels.
Can I limit how many times something can be selected on a form?
Yes. If you are creating a registration, booking, order form, or another form where an option should only be available a certain number of times, you can configure limited quantities.
See How to Create a Form with Limited Quantities.
Can I create a contract with the Form & Contract Builder?
Yes. Zibster forms can be configured as contracts when you need customers to review terms and complete an agreement.
Why does my payment form say Form Closed?
A Form Closed message means something is preventing the form from accepting new submissions.
Common items to check include:
-
Make sure you are using the correct form link.
-
Check whether the form has expired.
-
Check whether its submission limit has been reached.
-
Review the payment settings and make sure an active merchant is available.
-
Check whether your account has reached its form submission limit.
-
If the form accepts file uploads, confirm that sufficient file storage is available.
After making any changes, refresh the form and complete another test submission.
Related Guides
Use these guides to continue building and customizing your Zibster forms:
Need Help?
Zibster Support Hours: Monday–Friday, 9am–6pm EST
Phone: 844.353.3412
Channels: Phone, Live Chat, Support Ticket
