“Basic”ly great.

  • Sometimes you just need to setup a simple contact form and not having to install a plugin that comes with all the bells and whistles you don’t need. Form X is for this purpose. I like the simplicity and yet powerful ways to style the form. Being able to modify form CSS right in the admin screen is a great approach. The challenge question option is also a great spam buster if you don’t want to deal with creating a Google account for reCaptcha.
    Though I hope it’s just as effective?

    One thing I would improve is adding instruction how to display the form. There’s a short code for it, but I had to come to the WordPress plugin page to find it. Why not just include this simple piece of info somewhere on one of the UI screens so users don’t have to make a trip somewhere else to find it?

    Per plugin description, I wouldn’t say contact form “reinvented.” Rather, get back to the basics and being solidly good at one thing – the contact form.

    • This topic was modified 2 years, 1 month ago by skylabb.
    • This topic was modified 2 years, 1 month ago by skylabb.
Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
  • Plugin Author Jeff Starr

    (@specialk)

    Thank you for the feedback, Steven. It is very much appreciated.

    “I hope it’s just as effective?”

    It depends. I use only the challenge question on my sites and it works perfectly, very little spam gets through. reCaptcha is there for any sites that may need it, very effective at stopping automated spam. Heavily spammed sites can use both methods if desired.

    “I wouldn’t say contact form ‘reinvented.'”

    I will look at finding better words for the plugin description. I like the idea of “going back to basics”, thanks for the idea.

    “Why not just include this simple piece of info somewhere on one of the UI screens so users don’t have to make a trip somewhere else to find it?”

    I did. Spent a *lot* of time adhering to WordPress standards and added a complete, fully stocked contextual help tab, right there on the plugin settings screen. As explained right up top on the plugin installation instructions:

    Visit the Help tab on the plugin settings page for complete documentation.

    So basically click the Help tab then “Usage” to get the shortcode to display the form. Not sure if that helps with the rating, definitely trying to make this plugin as easy to use as possible.

    Thank you again for your feedback, Steven.

    Thread Starter skylabb

    (@skylabb)

    Thanks for the response, Jeff.

    Good to hear that the challenge question works well on your sites. I wonder if the bots can read the text like 1+2 on form label and could solve the easy math answer to get through? For my site, I came up with a more tricky question – what are last two digits of 87656? I never thought of the idea using challenge question in combination with captcha. That would make a solid spam proof wall.

    Thanks for pointing out the Help tab where the instructions reside. I see it now. Funny thing is that I’ve formed a good habit to go to that little help tab at the far right top corner for content related to a plugin. I give you credit for adhering to WP standards. I guess the placement of that tab by WP is not effective because you assume stuff up at the top (next to user profile elements) belong to system and not the plugin. It seems a random and convenient spot. I hope they improve the UI on this part if they want to standardize placement of plugin instructions. Haha, I’m a designer and can be opinionated about UI designs.

    For your sincere response and openness, I’m re-rating the review with 5 stars. I believe I’ve used some of your other great plugins. Thank you for the good work.

    Plugin Author Jeff Starr

    (@specialk)

    All good points Steven, I appreciate the thoughtful feedback. And thank you for the great review, it really helps the plugin to thrive. Best to you and your WordPress projects. Cheers.

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
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