How to create a form?

Learn how to transform your QR codes into interactive experiences by creating custom forms that collect visitor information, gather feedback, and build meaningful connections with your audience.

Watch the form builder demo

Overview

Forms are one of the most powerful ways to collect visitor information and build meaningful connections with your audience. Whether you're gathering contact details, conducting surveys, or creating multi-step registration processes, Linkbreakers' form steps give you the flexibility to create sophisticated data collection workflows that integrate seamlessly with your QR code campaigns.

Why use form steps?

Form steps transform your QR codes from simple redirects into interactive experiences. Instead of just sending visitors to a website, you can:

• Collect contact information before revealing exclusive content
• Gather feedback about your products or services
• Build customer profiles through progressive data collection
• Create personalized experiences based on visitor responses
• Track engagement and measure campaign effectiveness

Creating your first form step

Step 1: Access your workflow editor

1. Log in to your Linkbreakers dashboard
2. Navigate to the QR Codes section
3. Create a new QR Code
4. You'll reach the workflow for this QR Code

Step 2: Configure your form fields

Adding fields

1. Click to add a step between the two default ones
2. Select the form
3. Manage the fields, add or delete what you want
4. Choose from nine field types:
   • Text: Names, titles, short answers
   • Email: Automatically validates email format
   • Phone: Formatted phone number input
   • Text Area: Long-form responses
   • Number: Numeric values only
   • Date: Date picker interface

Field configuration

For each field, you can customize:

• Label: What visitors see above the field
• Placeholder: Helpful text inside empty fields
• Required: Whether the field must be completed

Step 3: Set up form behavior

Form presentation

• Form Title: Main heading visitors see
• Description: Explanatory text about the form's purpose
• Submit Button Text: Customize the action button

Advanced options

• Skip Form: Allow visitors to bypass the form
• System Field Mapping: Connect fields to visitor profiles using:
  • $email for email addresses
  • $phone for phone numbers
  • $firstName for first names
  • $lastName for last names

Building multi-step form workflows

Creating sequential forms

You can chain multiple form steps together to reduce visitor overwhelm:

1. Step 1: Basic contact information (name, email)
2. Step 2: Company details (organization, role)
3. Step 3: Preferences and interests
4. Step 4: Thank you message or content delivery

Connecting form steps

1. Complete your first form step configuration
2. Click to add additional steps afterwards
3. Choose "Form" for the next step
4. Configure the second form with additional fields
5. Repeat as needed for your workflow

Pro tip: Keep each form step to three to five fields to maintain high completion rates.

Best practices for form design

Field selection guidelines

Essential fields only: Only mark fields as required if you absolutely need that information. Each required field reduces completion rates.

Logical progression: Order fields from general to specific:

1. Name fields first
2. Contact information second
3. Preferences and details last

Smart field types: Choose field types that match your data:

• Use Email type for email addresses (built-in validation)
• Use Phone type for phone numbers (automatic formatting)
• Use Select instead of Radio for five or more options

Form copy and messaging

Clear value proposition: Explain why you're collecting information:

• "Get exclusive updates about new products"
• "Customize your experience based on your interests"
• "Receive your personalized recommendations"

Helpful labels and placeholders:

• Label: "Email Address"
• Placeholder: "Enter your email address"
• Help text: "We'll never share your email with third parties"

Mobile optimization

All Linkbreakers forms are mobile-responsive by default, but consider:

• Short labels that fit on small screens
• Minimal required fields for thumb-friendly completion
• Clear error messages that are easy to read on mobile

Advanced form features

System field integration

When you use system fields ($email, $phone, etc.), the data automatically updates visitor profiles. This enables:

• Personalized follow-up campaigns
• Visitor recognition across multiple QR codes
• Progressive profiling over time
• Automated segmentation for targeted messaging

Validation and data quality

Linkbreakers automatically validates:

• Email formats for email fields
• Required field completion
• Custom validation patterns (when specified)
• Option selection for radio/checkbox/select fields

Skip functionality

Enable form skipping when:

• Information is helpful but not essential
• You want to accommodate privacy-conscious visitors
• Testing shows high abandonment rates

Measuring form performance

Key metrics to track

• Form views: How many visitors see your form
• Completion rate: Percentage who submit the form
• Field-level analytics: Which fields cause abandonment
• Time to complete: How long visitors spend on forms

Optimization strategies

A/B testing: Experiment with different elements:

• Form titles and descriptions
• Required vs. optional fields
• Field order and types
• Submit button text

Iterative improvement:

• Start with essential fields only
• Add fields gradually based on completion rates
• Remove fields that cause high abandonment

Common use cases

Lead generation

Scenario: Collecting qualified leads at trade shows

Form strategy: Start with email capture, then add company details for qualified prospects

Example workflow:

• Step 1: Email capture with a compelling offer
• Step 2: Name and company (if qualified)
• Step 3: Redirect to exclusive content

Event registration

Scenario: Managing event attendees and preferences

Form strategy: Multi-step forms with contact info, dietary requirements, and session preferences

Example workflow:

• Step 1: Name and email
• Step 2: Dietary restrictions and accessibility needs
• Step 3: Session preferences
• Step 4: Confirmation page with event details

Customer feedback

Scenario: Gathering product feedback and satisfaction data

Form strategy: Mix rating fields, multiple choice, and open-ended text areas

Example fields:

• Rating: "How satisfied are you with our product?"
• Multiple choice: "Which features do you use most?"
• Text area: "What improvements would you suggest?"

Content gating

Scenario: Providing valuable content in exchange for contact information

Form strategy: Minimal friction with just email and name, plus a clear value proposition

Example messaging:

• "Get Your Free E-book"
• Enter your email to receive our comprehensive guide on [topic].
• Email field
• Submit button: "Send Me the Guide"

Troubleshooting common issues

Low completion rates

Solutions:

• Reduce required fields to absolute essentials
• Add clear value proposition messaging
• Test mobile experience thoroughly
• Consider adding the form skip option

Data quality issues

Solutions:

• Use appropriate field types (Email, Phone, Number)
• Add validation patterns for custom formats
• Include helpful placeholder text
• Provide clear error messages

Technical problems

Solutions:

• Ensure all required fields have appropriate validation
• Test form submission on multiple devices
• Verify system field mapping is working correctly
• Check workflow connections between steps

Frequently asked questions

How many fields should I include in my form?

Keep forms to three to five fields per step for optimal completion rates. If you need more information, use multi-step forms to break up the data collection process.

Can visitors skip my form?

Yes! You can enable the "Skip Form" option in your form settings. This is useful when information is helpful but not essential, or when you want to accommodate privacy-conscious visitors.

What's the difference between system fields and regular fields?

System fields (like $email, $phone, $firstName, $lastName) automatically update visitor profiles in Linkbreakers, enabling personalized follow-ups and visitor recognition. Regular fields simply collect data without profile integration.

How do I create a multi-step form?

After configuring your first form step, click "Add Child Step" at the bottom, select "Form" again, and configure the next step. You can chain as many form steps as needed.

Are forms mobile-friendly?

Yes! All Linkbreakers forms are mobile-responsive by default and automatically adapt to different screen sizes.

Can I use conditional logic in my forms?

Form steps are sequential in the workflow. You can create different workflow paths based on visitor actions, but individual form fields don't have conditional display logic.

How do I track form performance?

The Linkbreakers dashboard provides analytics on form views, completion rates, field-level abandonment, and time to complete. Use these metrics to optimize your forms.

What happens to the data visitors submit?

Submitted data is stored in Linkbreakers and can be exported from your dashboard. Data from system fields also updates visitor profiles for future personalization.

Can I integrate form data with other tools?

Linkbreakers provides data export capabilities. Check the integrations section of your dashboard for available connections to CRMs and marketing automation tools.

What's the best way to increase form completion rates?

Start with minimal required fields, provide clear value propositions, optimize for mobile, use helpful placeholder text, and consider enabling the skip option. Test different approaches and iterate based on your analytics.

Conclusion

Great forms balance data collection with user experience. Start simple, test frequently, and optimize based on your visitor behavior data. By following these best practices and leveraging Linkbreakers' powerful form features, you can create engaging interactive experiences that convert visitors into valuable leads and customers.

Ready to create your first form step? Head to your dashboard and start building your interactive QR code experience today!