How to set up the Jotform plug-in in WordPress
Jack Wallen walks you through the process of integrating Jotform with WordPress for easier logins, registrations, lead generation and more.
Jotform is one of the most powerful form services on the market. Jotform lets you create incredible forms that make it significantly easier to collect data from different types of users and groups.
But what if you have a WordPress site where you want to integrate the power of Jotform into your WordPress site? With such an integration, you could include the drag-and-drop Jotform form builder interface to create powerful and useful forms for data collection. Even better, you get access to over 10,000 templates.
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How do you do that? It’s simpler than you think. Let me show you how.
What is needed to integrate Jotform and WordPress
As you probably already expect, you will need a running instance of WordPress and a Jotform account. You’ll also need a WordPress user account with administrator privileges and make sure you’re logged into both accounts in the same web browser.
How to install the Jotform plugin
Log in to your WordPress instance as an administrator, hover over the Plugins entry in the left sidebar and click Add New. On the resulting page, enter Jotform in the keyword search.
Once the results appear (Figure A), click Install Now related to Jotform Online Forms.
Figure A
In the pop-up window, click Install Now to start the installation. After the installation is complete, be sure to click Activate (Figure B).
Figure B
How to use the Jotform plugin
This is where it gets a little tricky. To use the Jotform plugin, create a new post or page. On either the new post or page, click the + button and then click the Classic button (Figure C).
Figure C
Click on the newly added block to reveal the Jotform icon (Figure D).
Figure D
Click on the icon and you will be prompted to log in to your Jotform account (Figure E).
Figure E
After successful authentication you should see a list of forms you have saved in your Jotform account (Figure F).
Figure F
Choose the form you want to add to the page and you’re good to go.
The caveat and a better solution
I’ve experienced a few hiccups with this plugin. First of all, it doesn’t behave perfectly with all browsers. When I first tried to use the plugin, I was working with the Opera browser. This browser didn’t seem to want to recognize that I was already logged into my Jotform account, so the plugin refused to see my forms. In Firefox I was able to connect, but the connection would not persist.
Chrome seemed to handle everything without too much trouble. So if you’re having trouble, try Google’s browser again.
Problems aside, if you want to use your Jotform forms, this plugin is a good way to go for a WYSIWYG solution. Ultimately, if this route doesn’t work for you, you can always use the Jotform embed code and add it to an HTML field in a WordPress post or page. If I’m completely honest, that’s my preferred way.
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