Capturing Leads with Multi-step Forms: Simplifying Data Collection One Step at a Time

A potential customer interested in your services visits your website and is greeted with a lengthy form that looks more like a chore than a quick sign-up. The result? They leave without a trace.

HubSpot’s new multi-step forms tackle this challenge head-on. Dividing comprehensive forms?

into shorter, more manageable sections enhances user engagement and the likelihood of form completion. Let’s dive deeper and explore how these multi-step forms can revolutionize your data collection strategy.

HubSpot's Form Limitations

HubSpot is a robust CRM platform highly recommended for managing customer relationships. However, its basic form capabilities have limitations that might restrict more advanced data collection strategies. Initially, the platform allowed for creating simple forms and capturing basic details like email addresses and names, but it needed features for more complex form setups.

The Challenges with Traditional HubSpot Forms

1. Single-Step Forms Only: Initially, HubSpot did not natively support multi-step forms. This made creating longer, more detailed forms complex without overwhelming users.

2. No Progress Indicators: Users filling out forms needed to know how long it would take to complete them, potentially increasing abandonment rates.

3. Limited Field Options: The types of fields that could be added to forms were limited, restricting the flexibility needed for more tailored data collection.

Understanding Multi-Step Forms in HubSpot

Multi-step forms are a clever solution to a common problem: Form Abandonment.?

Instead of presenting your visitors with one long form, HubSpot’s new feature breaks it into smaller, manageable parts. This makes the form seem less daunting and gives users a sense of accomplishment as they complete each section. You can create these forms using HubSpot’s intuitive new forms editor, which allows you to style and customize your forms to match your business’s branding. Once created, these forms can be seamlessly integrated into your HubSpot pages or any external site, helping you collect important visitor information directly into your HubSpot CRM.

Why does it matter?

• Improved User Experience: Breaking a long form into shorter sections makes it less intimidating and provides a better user experience.
• Increased Completion Rates: Visitors are more likely to finish filling out forms if they are presented in shorter segments, improving your conversion rates.
• Progress Bars: The introduction of progress bars with multi-step forms helps inform users of their completion status, encouraging them to continue.
• Better Data Collection: Incremental steps encourage more thorough and thoughtful responses, leading to better-quality data collection.
• Customization and Branding: Tailoring the design of your forms can strengthen your brand's presence and resonate more with your target audience

How Do You Create a Multi-Step Form Using HubSpot?

Whether you're looking to gather more comprehensive user data or streamline your lead generation process, these steps will help you enhance your forms using HubSpot's robust features while keeping your tone conversational and approachable.

I. How to Create a Form

1. Start Your Form

• Go to Marketing > Forms in your HubSpot account.

• Click Create form in the top right corner.
• Select a business unit for the form, if applicable.
• Choose New Form Editor and click Next.

• Rename your form by clicking the pencil icon at the top.

2. Design Your Form:

• Add form fields by clicking the + plus icon.

• Drag and drop the desired fields from the left panel to your form preview on the right.
• Customize each field by setting labels and connecting properties to HubSpot CRM fields.

• Ensure essential fields, like the Email address, are set as required for form submissions.

II. How to Edit Form Fields

• Navigate to Marketing > Lead Capture > Forms.
• Either create a new form or edit an existing one by clicking Edit.
• Click the + plus icon to add fields and drag your desired field type onto the form.

• Configure field settings in the right panel—set labels, choose connected properties, or create new properties.
• Adjust field options like help text, placeholder text, default values, and required settings to guide the user experience.

Advanced Properties:

• Specify the object type, group, label, and description for new properties.
• Review and create the property, ensuring it's shown in forms and bots.
• Manage how properties interact with form fields for seamless data integration.

III. How to Add Additional Form Elements

1. Enhance Your Form:

• While editing your form, click the + plus icon and select Other for additional elements.

• Include Text & Media or Security & Privacy elements by dragging them onto your form preview.
• Arrange these elements strategically within your form to provide context, ensure security, or enhance visual appeal.?

Note that some elements might still be in beta and unavailable for all users.

Following these straightforward steps, you can easily create, customize, and manage multi-step forms in HubSpot, ensuring a user-friendly experience that efficiently captures essential data.

Embedding a Multi-Step Form on Your HubSpot Website

Once you've created your multi-step form in HubSpot, you can integrate it directly into your website. Here’s a straightforward guide on how to embed your form by linking directly to it or incorporating it into your HubSpot landing page.

I. Linking Directly to the Form

1. Navigate to your form within HubSpot and go to the 'Share' option.

2. Find the direct link to your form at the bottom of the page.

3. You can add this link anywhere on your website. For instance, you can embed it within a button or hyperlink text, making it easy for users to access the form.

Following these steps, you can smoothly integrate your multi-step form into your website, enhancing user interaction and data collection.

Are You Using Your HubSpot at Its Full Potential?

As a HubSpot Diamond Solutions Partner , INSIDEA is uniquely positioned to help you unlock the full potential of your HubSpot investment. Begin with a free, comprehensive audit of your HubSpot portal and discover the various features and tools waiting to transform your business operations.

Get your free portal audit today!

You can also book a meeting with HubSpot experts to explore how INSIDEA can help you with your upcoming projects.