Skip to content
Home » Resources » Small Business Tech » Online forms for small businesses

Online forms for small businesses

Home > Resources > Small Business Tech > Online forms for small businesses

Online forms for small businesses


What are online forms?

Online forms are digital forms that people can fill in on your website or via a shared link. The information is sent to you automatically, helping you collect and manage data in a structured and secure way.

Collect

Gather the information you need, from enquiries to bookings.

Organise

Keep all responses in one place, neatly structured.

Save time

Automate the process and spend less time on admin.


What can you use them for?

Contact forms

Let people get in touch with questions, project enquiries or general messages.

Bookings

Take appointments or service bookings without the back and forth.

Registrations

Collect sign ups for events, courses, newsletters or memberships.

Feedback

Ask for customer feedback, reviews or suggestions to help you improve.

Popular form tools (comparison)

ToolBest forKey featuresFree planPaid plans from (approx.)
Google FormsSimple, no-fuss formsEasy to use, integrates with Google SheetsYes£5/month (Google Workspace)
JotformFeature-rich formsDrag and drop builder, many templates, integrationsYes£24/month
TypeformEngaging, conversational formsBeautiful design, conditional logic, integrationsYes£21/month
TallySimple, flexible formsClean interface, unlimited forms, no codeYes£16/month
Microsoft FormsTeams and Microsoft usersEasy to use, integrates with Microsoft 365Yes£4/month (Microsoft 365)

Key features to look for

Custom fields

Collect the specific information you need.

File uploads

Let people attach files, such as documents or images.

Notifications

Get an email (or other alert) when someone submits a form.

Integrations

Connect with your other tools like email, CRM or spreadsheets.

Mobile friendly

Make sure forms work well on all devices.

Response tracking

View and analyse responses easily.


How to create a good form

Ask only what you need – Keep it short and relevant.
Keep wording clear – Use simple, straightforward language.
Group questions logically – Make it easy to follow.
Make required fields obvious – Help people complete the form.
Test it on mobile – Check it works well on smaller screens.
Set a confirmation message – Let people know their response has been received.


Common mistakes to avoid

Asking for too much information.
Making forms too long.
Forgetting to set up email notifications.
Not testing the form before sharing it.
Using unclear or missing privacy wording.