Collecting & Saving Data/Forms On Wordpress

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

I need to set up a site where users will complete a few forms, which need to be saved and revised/added to at a later date.

I have seen several forms that collects and saves data, but cannot see anything that allows user management.

I have tried BreezingForms, as I use it on Joomla, but cannot seem to make it work on WP.

Anyone with suggestions?

 

[ExplorerBDM]

Hi,

Does it have to be based on WordPress?


Neil

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Client requirement!

I would prefer Joomla, but such is life!

 

[Faevilangel]

Depends on what sort of data you want them to edit, https://wordpress.org/plugins/front-end-only-users/ will let users edit their profile in a page (domain.co.uk/my-account as an example), you can then add extra fields to the profile.

Most form plugins only send the data via email so you need to look beyond normal plugins and look at alternatives, a good plugin which may do what you want is Gravityforms, it has loads of extra bits you can add to make the forms editable later on, but I have never used it so you may need to ask their support.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Some data can be added to the profile, but I do need the ability to create separate forms, with the ability to upload documents, hence they need to be personal to and accessible by the user.

I have scanned Gravityforms, but should probably contact them.

As mentioned, BreezingForms claim to do it, but I cannot seem to make it happen!

 

[Schnell Solutions]

Every time someone says that 'they want forms to capture data', we always ask them lots of questions as the devil is in always in detail!

• How many forms are required
• How many users will use the forms
• Do you need save/retrieve functionality (is registration/account opening required)
• What happens to the data/how will it be used
• Are reports required - Graphs,Charts, Excel, Etc
• Will they be accessible over the Internet/Intranet
  
• Are you capturing sensitive/personal data - What level of security do you need
• How much data are we talking about - 10MB/500MB/1GB/+
• Will we capture just text or Images, videos, Etc.
• And a few more....

Apologies if these are a lot of questions but because we develop, host and maintain 100s of these....I felt compelled to ask!

Lots of options to choose from though....Worpdress plugins, forms packages, bit of bespoke work in PHP, etc. Its really depends upon the business requirement.

If you can share more details, we might be able to help.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

• How many forms are required - 4-6
  
• How many users will use the forms - every user
  
• Do you need save/retrieve functionality (is registration/account opening required) - yes
  
• What happens to the data/how will it be used - stored on DB and exportable for other uses
  
• Are reports required - Graphs,Charts, Excel, Etc - no
  
• Will they be accessible over the Internet/Intranet - yes
  
• Are you capturing sensitive/personal data - What level of security do you need - yes - the site will be as secure as I can make it
  
• How much data are we talking about - 10MB/500MB/1GB/+ - probably, after a time, 100-200mb
  
• Will we capture just text or Images, videos, Etc. - no capture, but uploaded.
  
• And a few more....

I would ideally like to keep this in the WP environment.

 

[Schnell Solutions]

Thanks Paul! Can you be more specific on the number of users i.e. 10s/100s/1000s+

I guess getting them developed in PHP and then integrating them with WP will be the right think to do. Needless to say this will involve some bespoke development and will give your client all the validations, rules, etc they need.

Do you have any samples/template that you can share? If yes, then please PM them to me and we can have a look.

Another option would be to go for a hosted model...where we can develop,host,maintain and integrate them for your client and provide full access to the underlying data.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

100 in year one, growing to 200 max, but the old user data needs to be kept...

I can use any number of db products to build a useable system, but I am trying to get something that works with WP, for the users and site staff, requiring minimal support work.

I appreciate bespoke may be where I end up, to integrate it with WP, but that is a last case scenario, at the moment!

 

[Schnell Solutions]

WordPress itself is PHP based so developing forms in PHP should allow for seamless integration with it. Also, if we use another forms package/hosted model, I am sure it will be possible to integrate as there are lots of options available here as well.

We have limited experience when it comes to WordPress plugins that offer out-of-the-box 'Forms' functionality....maybe others here will throw some light on this.

If you end up going down the bespoke route, we would welcome the opportunity to engage with you.

 

[Faevilangel]

I will ask on a WP Facebook group I use as they more than likely have come across something which does what you need.

 

[Faevilangel]

according to the group. gravity forms will do this and is the best plugin for this