Putting Web Forms Online (Beyond the PDF)
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Putting Web Forms Online (Beyond the PDF)
Chris Lucas and Greg ZgutaDec. 2, 2014
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#mStonerNow
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@chris_c_lucas@gzguta
@mStonerInc
#mStonerNow
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Let’s get started.• Forms in Higher Ed
• Brand Problems
• Conversion Problems
• Form Solutions
• Examples
• Questions
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Form Usage in Higher Ed
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Technology in web projects• Content Management System
• Website search
• Web event calendaring
• Analytics
• Forms
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More PDFs, more Problems• Paper, paper, and more paper (and faxes
and emails)
• Not really “online” forms
• Old forms are never removed from the site
• Search results filled with PDFs instead of web pages
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CMS Form Tools• Work directly in the CMS
• Typically don’t have stellar ease of use for content editors
• Form features are limited
• Work best for simple forms
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Custom Web Forms• Require web development resources
• No access for content editors (unless you build it)
• Often require back end solutions to work with other databases/systems
• All features must be built from the ground up
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Best of Breed Forms Tools• Offer administration tools and utilities to
manage forms and data
• Provide options for how forms are hosted on pages
• Are purpose-built to make form creation easy for content editors
• Advanced features like integrations, custom branding and analytics
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Key Decision Criteria• Self service ability for content editors
• Technical support for form creation
• Increase in higher ed websites hosted externally
• Cost versus capabilities
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Brand Problems
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Low utility for form owners and users
• Confusing—”Is this the right place?”
• Uncertainty and low confidence
• Users more likely to abandon unbranded forms
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Conversion Opportunities
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What Can Help?
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Field Bottlenecks
• Help you optimize your form
• Reveal trouble spots
• Minimize form abandonment
• Increase user satisfaction
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Example:Berkshire Community College
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Problem Overview
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Form optionsCustom web form
• Unlimited customization possibilities
• Connect form directly to Datatel export/import process
• Use server-side code to help deliver required features
Custom Formstack form
• Built-in administration tools for form submission/review/approval
• Ability to create additional forms based on the theme
• Less code/more configuration
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Solution Requirements• The form needed to have multiple pages
• Ability to have conditional steps
• Must be mobile friendly
• Must have proper required fields to ensure valid data
• Admissions needs an approval step to review submitted applications
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Design Process• Review of the existing PDF form
• Wireframe proposed new steps and fields based on new website design
• Development of HTML/CSS for a theme within Formstack
• Quality assurance with web team and Admissions prior to launch
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Implementation• Mapping of fields to Datatel Colleague
database
• Development of CSS and Javascript to style and enable form elements
• Creation of application form steps in Formstack
• Creation of a custom theme in Formstack
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Impact (so far)• 481 Conversions (applications!) in the first
three months
• 21% conversion rate
• Additional forms created which inherit the theme/styles:
• Request Information
• Schedule a Tour
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Example:University of Nevada, Reno
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Takeaways• Web forms are a core component of web
infrastructure
• There are three primary paths for implementing forms:
• CMS forms
• Custom web forms
• Best of breed third party form tools
• Tools like Formstack provide highly customized, highly useable solutions
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Questions?
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Thank You!
For more information about mStoner:773-305-0537 | [email protected]
Want to work with us? Contact Mallory Wood at 802-457-9234 [email protected]
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