ACROBAT FOR BUSINESS | 10 MINUTE READ
How to create an order form.
Explore how you can create an online order form to keep your business running smoothly.
Streamline operations with online order forms.
Order forms are a cornerstone of any modern e-commerce operation, playing a vital role in streamlining the sales process. They serve as the primary interface through which customers can browse, select, and purchase your products or services, ensuring a smooth and user-friendly shopping experience. Beyond facilitating transactions, order forms also allow you to configure and offer various payment methods, catering to diverse customer preferences.
How to create an order form in 4 easy steps.
Whether you run a bakery and want a way for customers to request a cake online, or you have a construction company and you want a form that lets clients request renovation services, a form builder app can help you create a document to fit your business’s needs. It’s easier than you’d think to create and edit a simple order form using a PDF editor to process online payments or even something more complex that uses conditional logic and notifications to guide customers through the payment process.
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.
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.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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 with PDFs.
If you’re looking to create your order form template with a PDF, follow these simple steps:
1 Create a new PDF document using a PDF editor like Acrobat.
2 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.
3 Add fields for product descriptions, prices, quantities, and other relevant information.
4 Include a space for buyers to read and agree to your business’s terms and conditions.
5 Save the PDF document as an editable template that you can use for future orders.
If you have Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Acrobat Pro, you can streamline the form creation workflow and make a fillable form in just a few steps:
If you have Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Acrobat Pro, you can streamline the form creation workflow and make a fillable form in just a few steps:
1. Open Acrobat and create a new document, scan a document, or open an existing document you’ve created in Word, Google Docs, or another program, and save it as a PDF. scan a document.
2 Add fillable form fields by either right-clicking and selecting the Form Field tool or by choosing fields directly from the toolbar.
3 Adjust each field’s functions by right-clicking and selecting Properties. You can use this dialog box to apply formatting rules, determine how form fields interact with one another, set up custom scripts, or make other adjustments to how your fields behave.
4 Click Preview to see how your forms look and function.
5 Save your form.
How to create an order form in Google forms.
To create an order form using Google Forms, follow these steps:
1 Log in to your Google account and open Google Forms.
2 Click the Blank button to create a new form.
3 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.
4 Add fields for product descriptions, prices, quantities, and other relevant information.
5 Customize the form’s design and layout to match your business’s branding and aesthetics.
6 Include a space for buyers to read and agree to your business’s terms and conditions.
7 Preview and test your form to ensure it works correctly and meets your needs.
8 Share your form with your buyers and track their responses using the Google Forms tracking and analytics features.
What to include in an online order form.
If your company’s website doesn’t have an online store, you can post an order form on your website with an email address so customers can still do business with you online. Just create a separate page on the website and post your PDF there as a downloadable file that customers can download, fill out, and email to you to place their order.
When creating a custom order form for your small business, you’ll want to include form fields to gather several crucial pieces of customer information, including:
- 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. This includes information such as credit card details, PayPal, or an echeck number.
- 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.
- 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.
Frequently asked questions.
How can I use an online 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:
- E-commerce websites. An order form is essential for e-commerce 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.
Why is it important to create an order form?
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.
What other forms can I create?
Now you’ve learned how to create an order form, here are additional resources on various types of forms and templates:
Explore everything you can do to streamline your sales with Acrobat and design an easy-to-use order form template using online PDFs.