Hello everyone, in this article, we will compare two popular WordPress form builder plugins: Contact Form 7 and Zigaform. Contact Form 7 is well-known and widely used, but how does it stack up against Zigaform? Let’s dive into the details.

Setting Up Contact Form 7

First, let’s look at Contact Form 7.

  1. Installation and Activation:
    • Search for “Contact Form 7” in the WordPress plugin repository.
    • Install and activate the plugin.
    • Once activated, you will see new options in the WordPress sidebar under “Contact.”
  2. Creating a Form:
    • Navigate to the Contact section and create a new form.
    • The interface is code-based, where you manually add form fields using shortcodes.
    • Basic fields like text input and submit buttons are added via simple shortcodes.
  3. Customization:
    • You can edit mail settings to configure email notifications for form submissions.
    • Additional settings can be managed through snippets, but customization requires HTML and CSS knowledge.
    • Styling the form requires manual CSS, which can be time-consuming.
  4. Form Testing:
    • After creating the form, save it and use the generated shortcode to embed it in a post or page.
    • Test the form to ensure it functions correctly, displaying success messages upon submission.

Overall, Contact Form 7 is straightforward but limited in customization and ease of use, particularly for beginners.

Setting Up Zigaform

Now, let’s test Zigaform and see how it compares.

  1. Installation and Activation:
    • Search for “Zigaform” in the WordPress plugin repository.
    • Install and activate the plugin.
    • After activation, Zigaform options will appear in the WordPress sidebar.
  2. Creating a Form:
    • Click on “Zigaform Lite” and then “Add New Form.”
    • Name your form, for example, “Contact Form.”
    • The interface is visual and drag-and-drop, making it easy to use. Select from pre-designed templates or start from scratch.
  3. Customization:
    • Add fields by dragging and dropping them from the left section. For example, add radio buttons labeled “Services” or a select list for “Products.”
    • Customize each field by clicking on it and setting options such as required fields, IDs, and classes.
    • Use the real-time visual editor to style your form without coding. Change background colors, font styles, and more directly within the editor.
  4. Advanced Features:
    • Set up email notifications and customize success messages easily.
    • Use built-in features like reCAPTCHA for spam protection, custom CSS and JavaScript for advanced customization, and PDF record-keeping.
    • Change the form’s skin and layout with a few clicks.
  5. Form Testing:
    • Save the form and use the generated shortcode to embed it in a post or page.
    • Test the form to see how it handles submissions, displays success messages, and ensures validation (e.g., required email fields).

Comparison

User Interface:

  • Contact Form 7: Code-based, requires HTML and CSS knowledge for customization.
  • Zigaform: Visual drag-and-drop interface, beginner-friendly, and no coding required.

Customization:

  • Contact Form 7: Limited, manual CSS needed for styling.
  • Zigaform: Extensive options within the visual editor, including color, font, and layout changes.

Advanced Features:

  • Contact Form 7: Basic form functionality, additional features require plugins.
  • Zigaform: Built-in advanced features like conditional logic, multi-step forms, and media embedding.

Form Creation and Management:

  • Contact Form 7: Simple forms created via shortcodes, manual management.
  • Zigaform: Easy form creation with drag-and-drop, comprehensive management tools, import/export options.

Spam Protection:

  • Contact Form 7: Basic reCAPTCHA support.
  • Zigaform: Advanced spam protection with reCAPTCHA and other tools.

Conclusion

While Contact Form 7 is a reliable and widely-used plugin, Zigaform offers a superior form-building experience with its user-friendly interface, extensive customization options, and advanced features. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user, Zigaform provides the tools you need to create professional and functional forms for your WordPress site.