How to Make a Contact Form in Dreamweaver

Dreamweaver Contact Form

Although Dreamweaver does not have a prewritten template for a contact form, it is not difficult to create a simple form like this using Dreamweaver's built-in form design options. Only two elements are absolutely necessary---a place for the user to leave information and a method to forward this to your own email. Beyond this, contact forms can be as complex as desired.

Instructions

1. Click "File," "New" in Dreamweaver and choose "HTML." Choose the "Design" view if it isn't already showing. Give the page a title by replacing "Untitled Document" in the "Title:" box.

2. Create a heading by selecting "Heading 1" in the "Format" "Properties" box at the bottom of the screen. Type a greeting on the page and select the "Center" style in the "Properties" section.

3. Drop down several lines, realign to the left and Click "Insert," "Form" from the drop-down menu. Insert the cursor in the dotted box that now appears and click "Insert," "Form" and choose "Text area" from the drop-down men

4. Provide an "ID" and "Label" for this field in the box that appears and set the "Tab Index" to "1." Click "OK."

5. Repeat Step 3 for the next field, but choose "Text field" instead of "Text area." For the "ID" and "Label," use the words "Your email address." Set the "Tab Index" to "2."

6. Repeat Step 3 for the next field, but choose "Button" instead of "Text area." Set the "Tab Index" to "3," but do not type in any "ID" or "Label."

7. Place the cursor below the dotted form area and type your contact name and any other information desired. Change the view to "Code" and edit the "action=" part in the form identification section, adding the email forwarding method obtained from your ISP. Save the form and upload to your Web host.

Tips & Warnings

• Setting up email forwarding will vary depending on the operating system used by your ISP. Linux systems normally have a CGI script that makes it easy to do. Windows server situations may require creating a script using JMail or ASP.NET. Incorporating verification procedures using Dreamweaver in areas like email addresses will reduce user errors. Dress up the page background and other elements of the Contact form to make it as inviting as possible.

• Contact forms lend themselves readily to email hijacking hacks, so taking appropriate security measures is important.

Resources

• Adobe Dreamweaver Help and Support Site