How to Create A Custom Contact Form In Joomla?

20 minutes read

To create a custom contact form in Joomla, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to the Joomla administrator backend.
  2. Go to Components and select Contacts.
  3. Click on the Contacts Categories option and create a new category for your contact form if needed.
  4. Go to Components again and select Contacts.
  5. Click on the New button to create a new contact.
  6. Fill in the necessary details such as the Name, Category, Email, etc., for the contact form.
  7. In the Display Options tab, select the options for how you want the contact form to be displayed.
  8. Save the new contact.
  9. Go to Menus and select the menu where you want to add the contact form.
  10. Click on the New button to create a new menu item.
  11. Choose the Contact Single form menu item type.
  12. Select the contact form you created in the previous steps.
  13. Fill in the necessary details for the menu item, such as Title, Alias, etc.
  14. Configure the menu item options according to your preferences.
  15. Save the menu item.
  16. Visit your Joomla site and navigate to the menu where you added the contact form.
  17. You should now see your custom contact form displayed on the website.


By following these steps, you can create a custom contact form in Joomla without using list items.

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What is the process of creating a contact form with multiple recipients in Joomla?

To create a contact form with multiple recipients in Joomla, you can follow these steps:

  1. Login to your Joomla administration panel.
  2. Go to the Menus tab and select the menu where you want to add the contact form.
  3. Click on "New" to create a new item in the menu.
  4. From the list of available menu item types, select "Contacts » Single Contact" or "Contacts » Category Blog or List". "Single Contact" allows you to include a custom contact form for a specific recipient. "Category Blog or List" allows you to create a contact form for multiple recipients organized in categories.
  5. Fill in the required details for the menu item, such as title, alias, etc.
  6. In the "Contact Details" section, select the appropriate "Contact" or "Category" from the dropdown menu.
  7. Save the menu item.
  8. Now, navigate to the "Components" tab and select "Contacts" from the dropdown menu.
  9. In the Contacts Manager, you can create new contacts or edit existing ones. If you selected "Single Contact" in step 4, create a new contact for each recipient you want to include in the form. Make sure to fill in the necessary details and save them. If you selected "Category Blog or List", create categories first, then create contacts and assign them to the respective categories.
  10. After creating the necessary contacts, go back to the frontend of your Joomla website.
  11. Visit the menu item you created in step 4, and you should see the contact form with multiple recipients in action.


Note: The process may vary depending on the version of Joomla you are using and the extensions installed. It is recommended to consult Joomla's official documentation or seek assistance from the Joomla community for specific details based on your setup.


How to add reCAPTCHA v3 to a Joomla contact form?

To add reCAPTCHA v3 to a Joomla contact form, you will need to follow the steps below:

  1. Get reCAPTCHA v3 API keys: Go to the reCAPTCHA website (https://www.google.com/recaptcha) and sign in using your Google account. Click on the "Admin Console" button located at the top right corner of the page. If this is your first time using reCAPTCHA, you will need to register a new site by clicking on the "+ (plus)" icon located at the top right corner of the page. Fill in the required details for your site and select reCAPTCHA v3 as the reCAPTCHA type. Once registered, you will be provided with a site key and a secret key. Keep these keys handy as you will need them later.
  2. Install and enable the "Captcha - ReCaptcha" Joomla plugin: Log in to your Joomla admin panel. Go to "Extensions" and then click on "Manage" from the dropdown menu. In the "Install" tab, click on the "Upload Package File" button and browse for the "Captcha - ReCaptcha" plugin package (can be downloaded from the official Joomla Extensions Directory). After successful installation, go to "Extensions" and then "Plugins" from the dropdown menu. Search for the "Captcha - ReCaptcha" plugin and click on it to open its settings. Enable the plugin and enter your reCAPTCHA v3 site key in the "Secret Key" field. Save the plugin settings.
  3. Add reCAPTCHA to the contact form: Use your preferred method to access the code of the contact form that you want to add reCAPTCHA v3 to. This could be through your Joomla template or a contact form extension you may be using. Find the HTML code that represents the submit button of your contact form. You will need to add a CSS class to this button. Add the following CSS class to the submit button: "g-recaptcha". Save the changes to the contact form code.


That's it! The reCAPTCHA v3 should now be added to your Joomla contact form. It will run in the background and provide a score based on the user's interactions with the form, helping you filter out bots and spam.


How to style a Joomla contact form to match the website's theme?

To style a Joomla contact form to match your website's theme, you can follow these steps:

  1. Locate the contact form module file: Log in to the backend of your Joomla website and go to Extensions > Modules. Find the contact form module you want to style and click on it. Note down the module position and the module file name.
  2. Create a custom CSS file: You will need to create a custom CSS file to modify the styling of the contact form. This file should be placed in your Joomla template's CSS directory.
  3. Inspect the contact form: Open your website in a web browser and use the browser's developer tools to inspect the contact form. Identify the CSS classes or IDs associated with different form elements, such as labels, input fields, buttons, etc.
  4. Customize the CSS: Use your preferred text editor to open the custom CSS file you created earlier. Write CSS rules to target the identified CSS classes or IDs and modify their styling as per your needs. For example:
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/* Example CSS rules */
.my-contact-form label {
  color: #333;
  font-weight: bold;
}

.my-contact-form input[type="text"],
.my-contact-form textarea {
  padding: 10px;
  border: 1px solid #ccc;
}

.my-contact-form input[type="submit"] {
  background-color: #ff0000;
  color: #fff;
  padding: 10px;
  border: none;
}


Make sure to replace .my-contact-form with the appropriate CSS class or ID used by your contact form. Adjust the CSS properties according to your desired styling.

  1. Link the CSS file: Go to Extensions > Templates > Template Styles. Edit the template style you are using on your website. In the "Custom CSS File" field, enter the path to your custom CSS file you created earlier. For example: /templates/your-template/css/custom.css


Save the changes.


Now, the contact form should be styled according to your custom CSS rules and match your website's theme.

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How to display a Joomla contact form in a pop-up window?

To display a Joomla contact form in a pop-up window, you can follow these steps:

  1. Create a new contact form in Joomla's backend: Login to Joomla's administrator area. Go to "Components" > "Contacts" > "Contacts". Click on "New" to create a new contact form. Fill in the necessary details and save the form.
  2. Install a Joomla pop-up extension: There are various extensions available to create pop-up windows in Joomla. You can search for a suitable pop-up extension on the Joomla Extension Directory (https://extensions.joomla.org/). Install and configure the pop-up extension according to its documentation.
  3. Add the contact form module to the pop-up: Once the pop-up extension is installed and configured, go to "Extensions" > "Modules" to manage Joomla modules. Click on "New" to create a new module. Select the contact form module type from the list of module types. Customize the module settings such as selecting the previously created contact form, choosing the display position, and any other desired configurations. Save the module.
  4. Configure the pop-up trigger: In the pop-up extension settings, you may find options to specify when and how the pop-up should appear. Configure the trigger settings to your preference. For example, you can set the pop-up to display when a user clicks on a button or link.
  5. Save and test: Save your changes and test the website to see if the pop-up window containing the Joomla contact form appears correctly when the trigger is activated.


Note: The exact steps may vary depending on the Joomla version and the pop-up extension used. Always refer to the documentation of the specific pop-up extension for detailed instructions.


What is the process of designing a unique contact form layout in Joomla?

Designing a unique contact form layout in Joomla involves several steps:

  1. Log in to your Joomla admin panel.
  2. Go to “Components” and select “Contacts” from the drop-down menu.
  3. Click on the “Options” button to access the Contact Options page.
  4. In the Contact Options page, you can customize various settings for your contact form, such as the default layout, display format, and more.
  5. To create a unique layout, you can either modify the existing default layout or create a new one from scratch. a. To modify the default layout, click on the “Default Layout” tab and make the necessary changes using HTML, CSS, and Joomla template tags. b. To create a new layout, click on the “New Layout” tab, enter a name for the layout, and then customize it using HTML, CSS, and Joomla template tags.
  6. Save your changes and exit the Contact Options page.
  7. Now, you need to assign your newly created or modified layout to the contact form you want to use it with.
  8. In the Joomla admin panel, go to “Components” and select “Contacts” from the drop-down menu.
  9. Click on the contact form name you want to edit.
  10. In the Contact Editor, go to the “Layout” tab and select the layout you created or modified from the “Layout” dropdown menu.
  11. Save your changes, and your contact form will now use the unique layout you designed in Joomla.


Remember to test your contact form after making any changes to ensure it works as expected and looks the way you intended.


How to set up auto-responder emails for Joomla contact forms?

To set up auto-responder emails for Joomla contact forms, follow these steps:

  1. Install an auto-responder extension: Go to the Joomla Extensions Directory (https://extensions.joomla.org/) and search for an auto-responder extension. Some popular options include RSForm!Pro, RSContact!, and Breezing Forms. Install and activate the extension of your choice.
  2. Configure the auto-responder extension: Once the extension is installed, access its configuration settings. This is usually done through the administration panel of Joomla. Look for the extension in the Components menu or in the Extensions menu.
  3. Create a new form: In the auto-responder extension, create a new contact form or modify an existing one. Most extensions provide a drag-and-drop interface to design the form fields.
  4. Set up the auto-responder email: Within the form editor, locate the settings related to auto-responder emails. You will usually find options to specify the subject, recipient email address, and the email template. Customize these fields according to your needs.
  5. Design the auto-responder email template: If the extension allows customization of email templates, use the available tools to design an appealing and informative email for the auto-responder. Personalize it with dynamic tags that will be replaced with the user's submitted information when the email is sent.
  6. Test the auto-responder: Before making the form live, test the auto-responder functionality by filling out the form and submitting it. Check if you receive the auto-responder email as expected.
  7. Publish the contact form: Once the auto-responder is tested and functioning correctly, publish the contact form on your Joomla website by placing the corresponding module or component in the desired location. This step might differ depending on the auto-responder extension you are using.
  8. Monitor and refine: Keep an eye on the auto-responder emails to ensure they are being received by users as intended. Evaluate their effectiveness and make any necessary adjustments to improve the communication with your visitors.


Remember to consider the privacy and data protection regulations in your jurisdiction when using auto-responder emails.


What is the significance of using SSL encryption for Joomla contact forms?

Using SSL encryption for Joomla contact forms is significant for several reasons:

  1. Security: SSL encryption ensures that the data transmitted between the user's browser and the website's server remains secure and cannot be intercepted by malicious actors. This is particularly important for contact forms as they often contain sensitive information such as email addresses, phone numbers, or even more personal details.
  2. Protection against data breaches: Encrypting the data sent through Joomla contact forms minimizes the risk of potential data breaches. If an unauthorized individual gains access to the server or intercepts the data, they won't be able to decipher its contents without the encryption key.
  3. Trust and credibility: Displaying a secure padlock symbol and having the website URL start with "https" instills confidence in users, assuring them that their information is being handled securely. This can enhance the credibility of the website and the organization behind it.
  4. Compliance with regulations: Depending on the nature of the information collected through contact forms (such as personally identifiable information), there may be legal or industry-specific requirements for data protection. SSL encryption helps fulfill these requirements and demonstrates a commitment to data security.
  5. SEO benefits: Search engines like Google prioritize websites with SSL encryption in their search rankings. By using SSL for Joomla contact forms, the website's visibility and organic search traffic can improve.


In summary, SSL encryption for Joomla contact forms ensures data security, protects against breaches, builds trust, complies with regulations, and provides SEO benefits.


How to add custom CSS styling to a Joomla contact form?

To add custom CSS styling to a Joomla contact form, you can follow these steps:

  1. Locate and open your Joomla website's template CSS file. This file is typically named "template.css" and is located in the "css" folder of your template.
  2. Identify the specific CSS classes or IDs used by the contact form. You can do this by inspecting the contact form using the browser's developer tools. Look for HTML elements that make up the form, such as input fields, labels, or the form itself.
  3. Write your custom CSS code to style the contact form. For example, if you want to change the background color of the input fields, you can use the following code:
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#contact-form input {
  background-color: #f2f2f2;
  color: #333;
}


  1. Add your custom CSS code to the "template.css" file by either copying and pasting it at the end of the file or creating a new section for contact form styling. Make sure to save the file after adding the code.
  2. Clear your Joomla website's cache to ensure the changes take effect. You can do this from the Joomla administration panel by going to "System → Clear Cache".
  3. Refresh your website's frontend to see the updated styling applied to the contact form. If necessary, you might need to adjust the CSS code and repeat the process until you achieve the desired styling.


Note: The specific CSS classes and IDs may vary depending on the Joomla template you are using and any modifications made to the contact form. Therefore, it is essential to inspect the contact form using the browser's developer tools to determine the correct CSS selectors to target.


What is the difference between a default and custom contact form in Joomla?

In Joomla, a default contact form refers to a pre-built form provided by the Joomla CMS. This form includes standard fields such as name, email, subject, and message. It is a basic form that can be easily added to a website without any additional configuration or customization.


On the other hand, a custom contact form in Joomla is a form that can be designed and created according to specific requirements and preferences. It allows for more flexibility and customization options, such as adding or removing fields, changing the layout and styling, and integrating with third-party extensions. Custom contact forms are typically created using Joomla's built-in form builder extensions or by developing custom code. They provide more control over the form's appearance and functionality but require more setup and configuration compared to the default contact form.

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