Step-by-step guide to create an order form.
Learn how to streamline your business operations with simple order forms.
What to use to create order forms.
Deciding which tools and applications to use when creating order forms depends on the user’s specific needs. Google Forms is a popular tool that allows users to create order forms quickly and easily using pre-made templates or by designing their own forms.
PDFs with fillable forms are also an option for creating order forms, which can be filled out and submitted electronically. These forms can be created using Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Word, or other PDF editors.
How to create an order form.
After deciding which tool or application to use to create your order form, it’s time to create the form. There are several ways to create an order form depending on your needs and preferences. Here are some tips on how to create an online order form, as well as how to create an order form template with PDFs and how to create an order form in Google Forms.
How to create an online order form.
- Get the right information. Avoid going back and forth with clarifying questions by creating an order form that gathers all the essential information about your prospective buyer. This includes the buyer’s name, business address, contact information, and preferred contact method, to name a few.
- Make the process seamless. Your form should be simple and intuitive for buyers to use. That means thorough product descriptions, easy ways to add products to a cart, and a digital checkout and product tracking process. Ensure there is space to read and agree to your business’s terms and conditions.
- Offer options. Outline different shipping speeds, product sizes, quantities, and price points so that your buyers can create an order that works with their needs, timeline, and budget.
- Use visuals. Depending on what you’re selling, visuals can help showcase the products you offer and how they work. Consider including images in your online order form for a highly visual and simple ordering process. No matter what, make sure your form is aesthetically aligned with your business. Use consistent branding, logos, fonts, and colors.
How to create an order form
Order forms document a transaction between a buyer and a seller. Typically, a seller uses an order form to sell products or services to their buyers. This makes it easy for the buyer to select and pay for what they need, while creating a paper trail and building an ongoing business relationship between the two parties. Learn more about how to craft business order forms for prospective buyers and get your products moving.
- Get the right information. Avoid going back and forth with clarifying questions by creating an order form that gathers all of the essential information about your prospective buyer. This includes the buyer’s name, business address, contact information, and preferred contact method, to name a few.
- Make the process seamless. Your form should be simple and intuitive for buyers to use. That means thorough product descriptions, easy ways to add products to a cart, and a digital checkout and product tracking process. Ensure there is space to read and agree to your business's terms and conditions, too.
- Offer options. Outline different shipping speeds, product sizes, quantities and price points so that your buyers can create an order that works with their needs, their timeline, and their budget.
- Use visuals. Depending on what you’re selling, visuals can help showcase the products you offer and how they work. Consider including images in your online order form for a highly visual and simple ordering process. No matter what, make sure your form is aesthetically aligned with your business: consistent branding, logos, fonts, and colors.
How to create an order form template with PDFs.
If you’re looking to create your order form template with a PDF, follow these simple steps:
- Create a new PDF document using a PDF editor like Acrobat or Word.
- Add fields for the essential information you need to gather from your buyers, such as their name, business address, contact information, and preferred contact method.
- Add fields for product descriptions, prices, quantities, and other relevant information.
- Include a space for buyers to read and agree to your business’s terms and conditions.
- Save the PDF document as an editable template that you can use for future orders.
How to create an order form in Google Forms.
To create an order form using Google Forms, follow these steps:
- Log in to your Google account and open Google Forms.
- Click the Blank button to create a new form.
- Add fields for the essential information you need to gather from your buyers, such as their name, business address, contact information, and preferred contact method.
- Add fields for product descriptions, prices, quantities, and other relevant information.
- Customize the form’s design and layout to match your business’s branding and aesthetics.
- Include a space for buyers to read and agree to your business’s terms and conditions.
- Preview and test your form to ensure it works correctly and meets your needs.
- Share your form with your buyers and track their responses using the Google Forms tracking and analytics features.
Must-have components for creating an order form.
When learning how to make order forms, it’s important to ensure you gather all the essential information from your buyers and make the ordering process as seamless as possible. Here are some must-have components for creating an order form:
- Contact information. Name, email address, phone number, and shipping address are necessary pieces of information to gather from your buyers.
- Product description. Each product should have a clear and concise description, including price and quantity.
- Payment information. You can provide a payment method and details like payment type, card number, expiration date, and security code.
- Shipping and handling. Provide options for the shipping method, shipping cost, estimated delivery time, and handling fees.
- Order summary. Provide an order summary that includes the product description, quantity, price, and total cost.
- Terms and conditions. Include a section for buyers to read and agree to your business’s terms and conditions.
- Visuals. Depending on what you are selling, you may want to include visuals, such as product images, to help your buyers understand your products better.
- Order confirmation. Provide confirmation of the order, including an order number, a summary of the order, payment details, and estimated delivery date.
- Customer service information. Provide contact information, such as a phone number or email, for customer service inquiries or returns.
- Call to action. Include a clear and concise call to action, such as a Submit or Place Order button, to finalize the order.
When can you use an order form?
An order form can be used when a buyer wants to purchase goods or services from a seller. Some common scenarios where an order form can be useful include:
- Ecommerce websites. An order form is essential for ecommerce websites where buyers can purchase goods or services online. The order form gathers the essential information needed to process the order and deliver the goods or services to the buyer.
- Phone or email orders. When a buyer orders goods or services over the phone or via email, an order form can capture all the necessary details, including the product or service requested, the buyer’s contact information, and payment details.
- Trade shows or exhibitions. An order form can be used at trade shows or exhibitions to allow buyers to place orders on the spot. The order form can help the seller capture all the necessary information and process the order quickly and efficiently.
- Custom orders. When a buyer needs a customized order, such as personalized merchandise or custom-built furniture, an order form can help the seller capture all the necessary details to fulfill the order.
An order form is useful when a buyer wants to purchase goods or services from a seller, whether in person, online, or over the phone or email. It helps to gather all the necessary information to process the order efficiently and accurately.
Why creating order forms is important for business.
Creating order forms is crucial for businesses because they provide a clear record of what the customer ordered, reducing the risk of miscommunication between the customer and the business.
In many cases, industries and jurisdictions have specific laws and regulations that require businesses to keep accurate records of transactions, including orders. By creating order forms, companies can comply with these legal requirements. Order forms also help businesses process orders more efficiently. Order forms ensure that all the necessary information is gathered in one place, which helps reduce the time and resources needed to process orders, leading to improved productivity and customer satisfaction.
Order forms are also important to providing a positive customer experience. Customizing the form with branding and design elements adds a layer of professionalism.
Lastly, order forms help companies ensure the accuracy of orders by providing a detailed list of the products or services ordered, including their prices and quantities, which reduces the risk of errors and confirms that the customer receives the correct products or services.
More resources on forms and documents.
Now you’ve learned how to create an order form, here are additional resources on various types of forms and templates:
- Learn how to create a performance review template.
- Learn how to create a website contact form.
- Learn how to build a client intake form.
- Learn how to create an email list sign-up form.
Explore everything you can do to streamline your sales with Acrobat and design an easy-to-use order form template using online PDFs.