How to Display WordPress Form Entries on Your Site

WordPress has revolutionized the way we create and manage websites, making it accessible to everyone—from beginners to seasoned developers. One of the most powerful features of WordPress is its ability to handle forms. Whether for collecting emails, gathering feedback, or enabling user registrations, forms have become integral to user interaction. But what happens after a user submits a form? How can you display those form entries directly on your site? This article will guide you through the various methods to display WordPress form entries effectively, enhance user engagement, and boost your website's interactivity.

Understanding WordPress Forms

Before diving into the methods, it's crucial to understand what WordPress forms are and why displaying entries can be important for your website.

What Are WordPress Forms?

WordPress forms are custom-built fields created using plugins like Contact Form 7, WPForms, or Gravity Forms that allow users to input data. These forms can serve various purposes:

• User registrations
• Email subscriptions
• Surveys and feedback

Importance of Displaying Form Entries

Displaying form entries can:

• Enhance engagement by showing users that their input is valued.
• Build trust by displaying real-time feedback, reviews, or ratings from other users.
• Facilitate transparency, especially for community-driven projects or businesses.

Getting Started: Setting Up Your WordPress Forms

Before you can display entries, you'll need to ensure your forms are set up correctly. Most popular WordPress form plugins allow you to capture and manage form entries without difficulty.

Choosing the Right Plugin

Here are popular WordPress form plugins suitable for beginners:

• WPForms: User-friendly with a drag-and-drop builder.
• Gravity Forms: Feature-rich but may require more understanding.
• Contact Form 7: Free and easy to use with basic features.

Creating Your First Form

Follow these steps to create your form:

1. Install and activate your preferred plugin.
2. Create a new form using the plugin interface.
3. Add necessary fields (name, email, feedback, etc.).
4. Configure settings such as notifications and confirmations.
5. Embed the form on your chosen page or post using the shortcode provided.

Displaying Form Entries Using Built-in Plugin Features

Many plugins allow you to display entries directly on your site. Let’s explore two popular plugins and their built-in functions.

Using WPForms

WPForms offers an Entries feature that lets you display submissions:

1. Navigate to the WPForms dashboard.
2. Select the Entries tab for your form.
3. Here, you can review all submissions and choose to display certain entries on your site.

Using Gravity Forms

Gravity Forms has an Add-On called Gravity View that showcases form entries:

1. Install the Gravity View plugin.
2. Create a new view for your form's entries.
3. Customize how you want the entries displayed (list, table, etc.).
4. Embed the view using the provided shortcode.

Customizing Display Options and Layouts

Just displaying entries isn’t enough; you'll want to ensure they’re presented in an engaging and informative way.

Styling Your Entries

Customize the appearance of entries to fit your site’s theme:

• Use CSS to style your forms and entries.
• Modify layout options in your plugin settings.
• Incorporate analytics to track user interaction with displayed entries.

Filtering Entries

To show relevant entries, consider filtering:

• Display entries based on categories or tags.
• Utilize user roles to limit visibility.
• Employ search functionalities within displayed entries.

Using Shortcodes and Widgets

WordPress offers various shortcodes and widgets that can be helpful for displaying entries across different sections of your site.

Shortcode Implementation

Many plugins provide shortcodes that allow users to display entries within their own custom code:

1. Find the shortcode in your plugin documentation.
2. Embed it in the page or post you wish to display forms.
3. Preview and check how the entries appear.

Widgets for Sidebar and Footer

Some plugins also come with widgets:

• Drag the specific widget to your sidebar/footer area.
• Select the necessary settings directly in the widget interface.

Enhancing User Interaction with AJAX

To improve user experience, consider displaying form submissions via AJAX to avoid page refresh.

What is AJAX?

AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) allows your web pages to update dynamically without a full page reload. This enhances user engagement significantly.

Implementing AJAX in Your Forms

This can involve:

• Using AJAX-enabled plugins where submission pops up without refreshing the page.
• Showing a confirmation message in real-time after form submission.

Displaying WordPress form entries on your site can significantly enhance user interaction and engagement. By understanding how forms work, choosing the right plugins, and utilizing built-in features, shortcodes, and layouts, you can create a vibrant, interactive experience for your visitors. Always aim to present entries engagingly, ensuring they add value to your website. Start implementing these methods today, and see how displaying form entries can transform your site's user experience!

If you're ready to boost user interactivity on your site, consider trying out some of the techniques mentioned above. Subscribe to our newsletter for more actionable tips on improving your WordPress site!