Wufoo is embeddable into any webpage, and all responses can be monitored from Wufoo’s reports system, which compiles analytics in easy-to-read charts and graphs. Spammed results are also curbed with a “smart captcha” service, which automatically activates a captcha once suspected abuse occurs.
Wufoo also maintains a premium service, starting at $14.95 per month for 10 forms. Each tier of Wufoo’s premium service offers more forms than the one before, and mid-level plans include the benefit of e-commerce capabilities and unlimited user reports. Another premium feature is data storage, allowing for files to be attached to forms and stored on Wufoo’s servers. “We scale up very quickly,” Hale said, “All you have to do is upgrade and Wufoo will take care of everything for you.”
FormSite
This service uses a drag-and-drop method of over 40 data fields to produce forms that can be embeddable in an existing website, hosted on FormSite, or sent to a specially-developed domain name powered by the company’s servers. In addition to hundreds of pre-made forms available for use, there is a host of customization options including a color selector and additional options to add automatic highlighting and shading. “We’d like to think our end product gives the most flexibility and usability,” says CEO Randy Vroman.
Unlike its competitiors, one option available in the free version of FormSite is a complimentary offering of file storage. Typically a feature saved only for premium customers, free users can add attachments to their forms for download by users.
Providing forms for many companies including Live Nation and General Mills, FormSite also compiles data from submissions into forms that can be downloaded into a local spreadsheet, with data kept private to only the user. Pro plans start at $9.95 per month for five forms, and include integration with third-party companies like GoogleApps and MailChimp as well as an option to use captchas and an RSS feed of results.
Another benefit to FormSite is its extensive time in the industry. “We’ve been doing this since 1998,” says Vroman, “We’ve grown to have extensive features and a mature team that can provide excellent support.”
Icebrrg
For those who are looking for a more comprehensive suite, Icebrrg is more than a stand-alone form service. Its functions fulfill the standard as a DIY builder, through clickable item options, to produce an embeddable HTML form that can also be hosted on the Icebrrg website. There are no templates or customization options, although the form does blend in with any design elements already present in a website after it becomes embedded. By itself, it’s a fairly generic form site.
But, what super-powers Icebrrg is its seamless cooperation with sister programs from web solutions team Element Fusion. “Most of our customers use Icebrrg through our other products because it is much more robust in that way,” says Element Fusion marketing director Tim Wall. Icebrrg is a its most powerful when interacting with web design services LightCMS and Radium3. Icebrrg is included in the cost of both of those websites, and is already seamlessly integrated into their dashboards.
Through LightCMS, users are able to incorporate Icebrrg to create an entire e-commerce store, and code themselves or utilize one of the thousands of already-available design templates to add pizzazz. Radium3 is a premium, comprehensive package that includes a customized design package along with all of LightCMS’s features.
Icebrrg alone starts at $9 per month, but can be used for free (along with other features) through LightCMS’s free trial of 3 pages. The pay scale advances with data, from LightCMS’s $19 per month 10-page plan all the way up to Radium3’s $149 per month unlimited program.
Form Assembly
The form solution for clients like Yahoo and BP, FormAssembly is a flexible option for versatile forms. The interface is a more free-form version of building than drag-and-drop methods, but has some templates available for use. With full color and image customizability, FormAssembly prides itself on being transparent and focused on security. ”If people try to code forms themselves, they might expose themselves to hackers," founder and CEO Cedric Savarese says. “FormAssembly is a safe and reliable service.”
FormAssembly has premium features comparable to other services, including e-commerce integration and a partnership with Google Apps. It also has language flexibility, meaning that forms can change languages depending on the home server to ensure they are always understood. However, this service stands apart from the pack for two reasons: unlimited forms and pay-as-you-go.
Unlike any of the other services, FormAssembly offers the free plan the ability to create an unlimited number of forms. This feature is normally only available on the priciest of options on tiered plans, but FormAssembly is happy to give non-paying customers the option of creating as many forms as they want. “We don’t have arbitrary limitations on your account, so you’re not going to be penalized if you’re a heavy user,” Savarese adds.
FormAssembly is also the only service to allow the “Pay As You Go” option, which allows users to pre-pay for reported responses to their forms. As low as 5 cents per form, this option is available for those who use a form for a finite number of people, but want the convenience of downloading information into an excel or access spreadsheet. Users can simply prepay in advance how many results they would like, and recharge the account if any more responses need to be gathered.
For those seeking the traditional option, FormAssembly has two tiered plans: Basic for $14 per month, and Pro for $39/month. These plans accommodate e-commerce options, for those looking to use their form as an online checkout.
Dig Deeper: 7 Tips for Effective E-Commerce
