Key Takeaways
- A Form Builder lets you digitise paper-based forms, no coding required.
- It’s a great starting point for businesses looking to move away from paper, particularly for simpler, single-department needs.
- For more advanced data capture, reporting, and automation, a Data Capture Platform like Culverdocs may be a better fit.
Digital working has been a desirable goal for businesses over the last 20 years, and for good reason. A global push to digitise operations gave rise to Form Builders, taking paperwork that had traditionally been long-winded and filed away, and turning it digital.
In this blog, we’ll take you through what a Form Builder really is, the benefits, the drawbacks, and whether one might be right for you.
The Definition of a Form Builder
A Form Builder, quite simply, helps you build forms. It’s that simple. How it does that, and how different Form Builders vary, is a separate story, but the basic premise is replicating any existing, traditionally paper-based form as a digital copy that users can complete instead.
How a Form Builder Tends to Work
Form Builders are normally accessed via desktop with an internet connection. Some are free, some charge subscription fees. You create an account, log in, and start building your forms.
Most offer drag and drop functionality, where you drop a field onto your canvas and name it accordingly. Repeat the process with different field types until you have a digital version of your paper-based form.
You can then distribute this to whoever needs to complete it. This varies by provider, but a common example is entering someone’s email address, they then receive the form and complete it on their own device. It’s returned to you, either within the system or via email, as a completed copy, typically a PDF. That way, everything stays completely digital.
The Benefits of Using a Form Builder
Naturally, there are a number of benefits to using a Form Builder:
- Avoiding the cost of printing.
- Fewer errors, since users can correct entries themselves, or you can easily reissue a form.
- More efficient for people to complete.
- More accessible for people to complete on the move, or if they have accessibility needs.
- Digitises records for safe filing and storage.
- Faster return of information.
The Drawbacks of Using a Form Builder
On the other hand, there are some things to consider:
- Building the forms yourself takes time.
- Free tiers are often restrictive, for example, a limited number of sends per day, or fewer features.
- Some tools are industry-specific and won’t fit every business goal.
- Most rely on an internet connection to complete.
Who a Form Builder Is Best Suited To
Form Builders work well for businesses of any size taking their first step away from paper, particularly those with simpler, single-department needs. They’re especially useful for compliance-dependent businesses with busy paper-based processes, where records from teams out in the field can otherwise be slow to come in. Digitising these processes helps ensure data gets returned promptly and reliably, reducing operational risk.
Examples of Form Builders
The type of Form Builder you need depends on your industry and use case. Examples include:
- Google Forms.
- Typeform.
- Jotform.
- HubSpot Forms.
If you need something that goes beyond form building into fuller data capture and reporting, it’s worth looking at a Data Capture Platform like Culverdocs instead.
Is a Form Builder Right for You?
If you’re taking your first step into digitising your processes, a Form Builder is a great place to start. It takes a little time to get set up, but it won’t be long before your business starts to feel the benefit.
Owen Hayward
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