Setting Up Contact Form 7 to Collect and Display User Submitted Data

Overview

• The tutorial is divided into three main parts:
  1. Create a user submission form using Contact Form 7.
  2. Optionally create a custom post type for data storage.
  3. Connect the form to a table plugin to display submitted data in a searchable format.

Part 1: Create User Submission Form

Step 1: Install Contact Form 7

• Install and activate the Contact Form 7 plugin from WordPress.org or the plugin directory.

Step 2: Build the Form

• Data Points to Collect:
  • Picture/headshot
  • Name
  • Email
  • Country
  • Level of expertise
  • Short introduction
• Navigate to Contact > Add New to open the form builder.
• Name the form (e.g., "Register as a Doctor").
• Write form fields using the correct syntax (consider using AI for assistance).
• Enable CAPTCHA protection to prevent spam submissions.
• Copy the shortcode and paste it into a new or existing page.
• Change form settings from draft to live mode before saving.

Step 3: Display the Form

• Create a new page to display the form, using the shortcode.
• Ensure the form has fields for photo, name, email, country, expertise, and description.

Part 2: Storing User Submitted Data

Step 1: Determine Data Storage

• Options for data storage:
  1. Document Library Pro for documents.
  2. WooCommerce Plugin for products.
  3. Custom post type for other content.

Step 2: Create Custom Post Type (Optional)

• Download and install the Easy Post Types and Fields plugin.
• Add a new post type with singular and plural labels (e.g., Member and Members).
• Add fields for email, country, experience level, etc.
• Ensure the custom post type appears in the WordPress admin.

Step 3: Link Contact Form to Post Type

• Install Post My CF7 plugin.
• Go to the form builder and navigate to the "Form to Post" tab.
• Select the post type created earlier (e.g., Members).
• Map form fields to custom fields:
  • Title: Name
  • Excerpt: Short description
  • Featured image: Doctor's headshot
  • Custom fields for email, country, and expertise.
• Save changes and test the form.

Part 3: Displaying Submitted Data in a Table

Step 1: Choose a Table Plugin

• Use Post Table Pro for custom post types.
• Visit the Barn 2 website to purchase the plugin and get the activation key.

Step 2: Create the Table

• Click on Tables > Add New to launch the table generator.
• Set the table name (e.g., "All Doctors").
• Select content type to display (Members).
• Configure table columns (image, title, email, expertise).
• Set up filters and sorting options.
• Copy the shortcode or add the table block to a page.

Step 3: Final Testing and Review

• Test the form and table display by submitting sample data.
• Ensure everything is functioning correctly before going live.

Conclusion

• Review the entire process and test thoroughly before launching.
• Consider additional options for filters and search features.
• Support the channel by liking the video and checking out additional resources.