Embedding forms directly into your website creates a seamless user experience that keeps visitors engaged without forcing them to click external links. When users complete forms without leaving your page, you reduce drop-off rates, increase submission rates, and maintain better control over the entire interaction.
For businesses collecting leads, feedback, or registrations, embedded forms feel more professional and trustworthy than redirect links. Visitors see your branding, stay within your domain, and experience consistent design throughout their journey. This continuity builds confidence and improves conversion rates across all form types.
Google Forms provides a free, straightforward solution for basic form embedding that works across most website platforms. The process involves copying an iframe code snippet and pasting it into your website's HTML. However, while Google Forms handles simple embedding adequately, businesses seeking advanced customization, responsive design control, or seamless brand integration often need more sophisticated solutions.
Google Forms uses iframe technology to embed forms into websites. An iframe (inline frame) is an HTML element that loads external content within your webpage, essentially creating a window that displays content from another source while keeping it isolated from your main page.
When you generate embed code from Google Forms, you receive an HTML snippet that looks like this:
<iframe src="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/FORM_ID/viewform?embedded=true" width="640" height="800" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0">Loading…</iframe>
This code contains several key components. The src attribute points to your specific form's URL with an embedded=true parameter that tells Google to display the form without navigation elements. The width and height attributes control the form's display size, though these can be adjusted to fit your layout. The frameborder, marginheight, and marginwidth attributes control spacing and borders around the embedded form.
Understanding these components helps when you need to customize the embedded form's appearance to match your website layout. While Google Forms provides default dimensions, you'll often need to adjust these values based on your design requirements and the device sizes your visitors use.
Start by opening your completed Google Form at forms.google.com. Ensure your form is fully configured with all questions, settings, and customization complete, as you can edit the form later and changes will reflect automatically in embedded versions.
Click the "Send" button in the top-right corner of the form editor. This opens a dialog box with multiple sharing options. You'll see three tabs: the envelope icon for email, the link icon for URL sharing, and the angle brackets (<>) icon for embed code.
Click the angle brackets icon to access the embed HTML code. Google Forms displays the iframe code in a text box with options to adjust the embedded form's dimensions. Below the code box, you'll find fields to modify width and height values. The default width is 640 pixels and height is 800 pixels, but these can be customized to fit your specific layout needs.
Consider your form's length when setting dimensions. Longer forms with many questions need more height to avoid internal scrolling, while simpler forms can use shorter heights. For width, consider whether you're embedding in a sidebar (use narrower widths around 300-400px) or a full content area (use wider dimensions or percentage-based widths like 100%).
Click "Copy" to copy the entire embed code to your clipboard. You're now ready to add this code to your website using the method appropriate for your platform.
WordPress users have slightly different processes depending on whether they're using the Classic Editor or the newer Block Editor (Gutenberg). Both methods are straightforward once you understand the platform's structure.
For the Block Editor (most common on modern WordPress sites), navigate to the page or post where you want to embed your form. Click the plus icon (+) to add a new block, then search for "Custom HTML" in the block library. Add the Custom HTML block to your page at the desired location.
Paste your Google Forms embed code directly into the HTML block. You can switch to the "Preview" tab to see how the form will appear on your published page. The form might look slightly different in the editor than it will on the live site, so always check the published version.
For the Classic Editor, switch from the "Visual" tab to the "Text" tab in your editor. This displays the raw HTML of your page. Find the location where you want the form to appear and paste the embed code directly into the HTML. Switch back to the "Visual" tab to see a preview of how the form will display.
After adding the form, click "Preview" to view your page as visitors will see it. Check that the form loads correctly, displays at an appropriate size, and functions properly by submitting a test response. Once satisfied, click "Publish" or "Update" to make the embedded form live on your site.
Wix uses a drag-and-drop interface that makes embedding external content straightforward. Log into your Wix account and navigate to your site's editor by clicking "Edit Site" on your dashboard.
Click the plus icon (+) on the left sidebar to open the Add Elements panel. Navigate to the "Embed Code" section, which contains options for adding custom HTML and external content to your site. Select "Embed a Widget" or "Custom Embeds" depending on your Wix plan.
Choose "Embed a Site" or "HTML iFrame" from the available options. This creates a placeholder on your page where the embedded content will appear. Paste your Google Forms embed code into the code input field that appears.
Drag the embedded form element to your desired location on the page. Wix allows you to position elements precisely, so place the form where it makes sense in your content flow. Resize the element by dragging its corners or edges to ensure the form displays without unnecessary scroll bars or cut-off content.
Click "Settings" on the embedded element to access additional options. You can adjust how the iframe behaves, though options are somewhat limited compared to direct HTML editing. Preview your site to ensure the form displays correctly across different device sizes.
When satisfied with the placement and appearance, click "Publish" to make your embedded form live. Test the form on your published site by submitting a response and verifying it appears in your Google Forms responses.
Squarespace requires at least a Business plan to add custom code to your site, so ensure your plan supports this feature before attempting to embed forms. Log into your Squarespace account and select the website where you want to add the form.
Navigate to the page where you'll embed the form by clicking "Pages" in the left menu and selecting your target page. Click "Edit" to enter the page editor. Position your cursor where you want the form to appear in your content.
Click the plus icon (+) that appears between content sections or blocks. From the block menu that appears, scroll down to find and select the "Code" block. This opens a code input window where you can paste custom HTML.
Paste your Google Forms embed code into the code input field. Squarespace provides a preview that shows approximately how the form will appear, though the actual rendering may differ slightly on the published site.
Click "Apply" to save the code block. The form placeholder appears in your editor, though it may not be fully functional in edit mode. Use the layout tools to position the code block within your page structure, ensuring it flows naturally with your other content.
Click "Save" in the top-left corner to save your page changes. Then click the preview icon to see how the form will appear on your live site. Check both desktop and mobile views to ensure the form displays appropriately on different devices.
When satisfied with the result, click "Publish" to make the changes live on your website. Visit your published page and test the form to ensure it functions correctly and submissions are recorded in Google Forms.
For websites built with raw HTML, the embedding process is most direct. Open your website's HTML file in a text editor like Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text, or even Notepad. Locate the section where you want the form to appear, typically within a <div> container or content area.
Paste the Google Forms embed code directly into your HTML at the desired location. Consider wrapping the iframe in a container div for better styling control:
<div class="form-container">
<iframe src="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/FORM_ID/viewform?embedded=true"
width="100%"
height="800"
frameborder="0"
marginheight="0"
marginwidth="0">
Loading…
</iframe>
</div>
You can add CSS styling to control how the form appears on your page. For responsive design, consider using percentage-based widths and CSS media queries to adjust the form's size on different devices:
.form-container {
max-width: 800px;
margin: 0 auto;
padding: 20px;
}
.form-container iframe {
width: 100%;
min-height: 800px;
border: none;
}
@media (max-width: 768px) {
.form-container iframe {
min-height: 1000px;
}
}
Save your HTML file and upload it to your web server. Open your website in multiple browsers and on different devices to ensure the form displays correctly everywhere.
While Google Forms offers functional embedding, several limitations affect how well forms integrate with professional websites. Understanding these constraints helps determine whether Google Forms meets your needs or whether alternative solutions provide better results.
Limited Customization: Google Forms provides minimal styling control for embedded forms. You cannot change fonts, colors, or layouts to match your brand beyond Google's basic theme options. The form always carries Google's design aesthetic, which may clash with your website's appearance.
Responsiveness Issues: Embedded Google Forms don't always adapt smoothly to different screen sizes. On mobile devices, forms may require horizontal scrolling or display with awkward spacing. You'll need to manually adjust iframe dimensions and test across devices to achieve acceptable mobile experiences.
No Advanced Features: Google Forms lacks sophisticated form features like conditional logic that shows/hides fields based on previous answers, multi-step form flows, payment processing integration, or automated calculations. These limitations make Google Forms unsuitable for complex business processes.
Branding Constraints: Embedded Google Forms still display "Google Forms" branding in the form's appearance, and you cannot fully remove Google's visual identity from the embedded experience. For professional businesses, this third-party branding may undermine credibility.
Loading Performance: Iframes add additional HTTP requests and can slow page loading times. Google Forms must load from Google's servers, introducing potential latency that impacts user experience and SEO rankings.
While Google Forms handles basic embedding, businesses seeking professional, branded form experiences need more sophisticated solutions. Clappia's no-code platform provides superior embedding capabilities that address Google Forms' limitations while adding powerful features Google cannot match.
Clappia's link sharing feature lets you share forms via direct URLs that require no login, making it easy for external users to submit data. Unlike Google Forms' basic sharing, Clappia maintains your complete branding, workflows, and automation logic even when accessed publicly.
Generate shareable links for any app in seconds through Clappia's publishing interface. Forms shared via link display in clean, professional interfaces without third-party branding. Visitors interact with your form experience, not a Google-branded page, creating better brand consistency and user trust.
Clappia's website embedding capability goes beyond basic iframe insertion. Embed Clappia apps directly into any website using generated embed codes that provide better control over appearance, responsive behavior, and integration with your site's design.
The embed process mirrors Google Forms' simplicity - copy an embed code and paste it into your website - but delivers dramatically better results. Clappia-embedded forms adapt intelligently to different screen sizes, maintain consistent branding, load faster, and provide richer functionality than Google Forms can offer.
Embedded Clappia forms retain all platform capabilities that Google Forms lacks. Automated calculations using formula blocks compute totals, apply pricing rules, and perform complex math in real-time as users complete forms. This eliminates manual calculation requirements that plague Google Forms.
Conditional logic and dynamic sections show or hide form fields based on user responses, creating intelligent forms that adapt to each visitor's needs. Multi-step flows guide users through complex processes without overwhelming them with lengthy forms.
Payment gateway integration lets embedded forms collect payments directly through Razorpay, Stripe, or PayPal. Users complete transactions without leaving your website, dramatically improving conversion rates compared to Google Forms' lack of native payment processing.
Clappia's forms are built mobile-first, ensuring perfect display on smartphones and tablets without manual dimension adjustments. Unlike Google Forms' iframe limitations, Clappia apps automatically adapt layouts, adjust field sizes, and optimize touch interactions for mobile users.
Native mobile apps extend beyond web embedding, providing iOS and Android applications for your forms when needed. This flexibility lets you choose the right deployment method - web embedding, mobile apps, or both - based on your audience's needs.
When users submit embedded Clappia forms, powerful workflow automation springs into action. Send confirmation emails, update databases, trigger approval processes, create records in connected systems, or execute custom logic - all automatically based on form submissions.
Google Forms offers basic email notifications, but Clappia provides enterprise-grade automation that transforms simple form submissions into complete business processes. Multi-level approval workflows, database integrations, API connections, and conditional logic execute behind the scenes while maintaining a simple user-facing form experience.
Regardless of whether you choose Google Forms or Clappia, follow these best practices to ensure embedded forms deliver optimal user experiences:
Test Across Devices: Always test embedded forms on desktop computers, tablets, and smartphones before going live. Forms that look perfect on your laptop may display poorly on mobile devices. Check multiple browsers (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge) to catch platform-specific rendering issues.
Optimize Form Length: Keep embedded forms as concise as possible. Long forms require excessive scrolling within iframes, frustrating users and reducing completion rates. If you need to collect extensive information, consider multi-step forms that break questions into manageable sections.
Provide Clear Context: Add introductory text above embedded forms explaining their purpose and what users should expect. Let visitors know how long the form takes to complete and what happens after submission. This context reduces abandonment and improves data quality.
Ensure Accessible Heights: Set iframe heights tall enough to display entire forms without internal scrolling. Users find double-scrolling (scrolling the main page and scrolling within the embedded form) confusing and frustrating. Add extra height padding to accommodate longer text responses.
Consider Alternative Layouts: Sometimes linking to forms in new windows provides better experiences than embedding, especially for complex forms. Evaluate whether embedding truly serves your users or if a well-designed landing page with a direct form link might work better.
Monitor Form Performance: Track submission rates, abandonment points, and completion times for embedded forms. Analytics reveal whether embedding improves or hinders conversions compared to standalone form pages. Adjust your approach based on actual user behavior data.
Embedding Google Forms into websites serves basic data collection needs with minimal setup. The process works across virtually all website platforms and costs nothing to implement, making it attractive for simple contact forms, event registrations, or casual surveys.
However, businesses requiring professional presentation, advanced functionality, brand consistency, and powerful automation should consider purpose-built solutions. Clappia's platform delivers everything Google Forms provides plus sophisticated capabilities that transform basic forms into complete business applications.
With Clappia's free plan, you can build unlimited apps, embed them anywhere, and access core features without any cost. Professional plans starting at $5/user/month unlock advanced features, increased submissions, and premium integrations that Google Forms simply cannot offer.
Start building professional embedded forms today with Clappia's no-code platform - no credit card required, no technical skills needed, just powerful form solutions that integrate beautifully with your website.
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3500 S DuPont Hwy, Dover,
Kent 19901, Delaware, USA
L374, 1st Floor, 5th Main Rd, Sector 6, HSR Layout, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560102, India
