How to Create a File Upload Form in WordPress?

In this digital era, when different forms of communication and collaboration arose between users and website owners, file upload forms have become somewhat of a necessity. From job applications, school admissions, and data submissions to feedback and support, file upload forms are now an integral part of many websites and applications. These small components that happen to be on websites and apps allow users to upload different types of files, starting from images and videos to documents.

 In this article, we will take a look at the idea of file upload forms and their main components. Afterward, we will move on and discuss some of the user cases when one needs file upload forms. We will then name you the best plugin that you can use to have a seamless experience in file uploading. As a bonus, we will share with you some tips you can incorporate into your practices. 

What is a File Upload Form?

A file upload form is an interface element that allows users to select and upload files from their devices to a specific server. These forms are usually used to gather files, such as images, documents, videos, and more from users. The uploaded files are then processed, stored, and used as needed by the server or application. 

The file upload form typically consists of the following components:

1. File input field
2. Optional fields (checkboxes and radio buttons)
3. Submit button
4. Feedback to the user

When Do You Need File Upload Form on WordPress?

Here are several reasons why people need to have file upload forms on their websites:

• Content sharing: Users sometimes need to share certain files, images, videos, presentations, and documents with others. File upload forms are an easy way to send these files to other users or submit them to a specific platform.
• Data submission: There are some processes that require the submission of certain files. For example, job applications might move applicants to submit a resume/CV; learning platforms might need assignment submissions, etc.
• Document submission and verification: Some institutions, like schools and universities, often require students to submit important documents, such as passports, ID for internal verification. 
• Feedback and support: The file upload form might significantly make communication between customers and support specialists easier. With the forms available, users can submit screenshots indicating the issue they are facing. This way, support specialists will be able to quickly identify the problem and help fix it. 
• Payment verification: When users need to do huge transactions that require invoices or just proof that they have made the payment, a file upload form can facilitate the whole process. So, instead of sending out emails, the users will be able to submit their checks right via the file upload form.
• User profile customization: Websites and applications that allow users to customize either profile settings often use file upload forms so that the users can submit their files. For example, online job markets allow users to create either a user page and upload images and other files, such as resumes/CVs. 
• Integration with external applications or servers: Some applications that work with integrations tend to have file upload forms on their dashboards to allow users to upload the zips of the external apps.

Tips for Designing Intuitive File Upload Forms

Designing user-friendly and intuitive file upload forms is a key factor for creating a seamless user experience. You should design your forms so that they attract your users to submit files and are easy to navigate through. So let’s now go over some of the important components and details that you should pay attention to when adding file upload forms to your WordPress:

• Clear instructions and labels: Be concise with your file upload requirements, instructions, and labels. To ensure your users know what to do, you may add text holders and write guiding examples. 
• Feedback and process indicators: Make sure that you provide feedback to your users after the file upload forms are submitted. You can add loading and progress bars, thank-you messages, or other icons to inform the users about the (un)successful form submission. 
• Drag-and-drop functionality: This functionality is the favorite feature of the users. So, you may consider replenishing your forms with it. This way, your customers will not waste time in finding the right file; instead, they will take the file and drop it into the form. 
• Mobile-friendly design: Considering that the majority of internet users are phone holders, you need to make sure not only your file upload forms but your whole website is mobile-friendly. It should support and be responsive for any screen size.

What is the Best Tool for File Upload Form?

After thorough research, we have come up with one of the best plugins for file upload forms on the market. Considering all the features that other file upload plugins have, we have developed “the” plugin that combines all the features in just one place. The plugin is called Shared Files by Tammersoft. This file sharing plugin stands out with its advanced features and categorizing options. Let’s now explore some of our key features:

•  Easy management and countdown page for downloads: This download manager plugin successfully separates the uploaded files from the media library, making your file management a breeze.
• Front-end upload: Shared Files PRO is a 2-in-1 tool: It is both a powerful file manager plugin and a user-friendly tool for front-end uploads.
• Password-protected files: You can easily assign passwords to the files and folders that contain sensitive or confidential data. 
• Categorized files: The plugin allows to categorize files into categories and sub-categories, making users’ experience even more seamless. 
• Downloads per file: Shared Files PRO gives users full control over the files. With this feature, you can limit the number of downloads per file. 
• Flexible file opening options: Based on the user roles, you can control who can access your files. This way, you will be able to protect important data and ensure a personalized experience for your users.  
• Flexible pricing plans: Shared Files PRO has 4 plans: free, personal, professional, and business. With each of the following plans richer than the previous one, this plugin meets all of its users’ needs respectively. 
• 20+ supported file formats.

How to Create a File Upload Form on WordPress?

While the free version of Shared Files offers an easy way to list downloadable files on your site, you may want to allow visitors or logged-in users to upload files themselves. It is easy to create a file upload form using Shared Files PRO. You will just need to insert the shortcode [shared_files file_upload=1] to any page on your WordPress and the file upload form will appear in its basic form:

You can go on using this basic file upload form that will allow you to get important files from your customers and logged-in users. Additionally, with the Shared Files PRO, you can enhance your users’ experience by adding some other attributes to the default form. You can add checkboxes, asking the categories and the tags of the files your users upload. This will eventually help you in the file management and categorizing process, and save you a lot of time. 

By using the shortcode [shared_files file_upload=1 category_checkboxes=1 tag_checkboxes=1] you can add checkboxes for categories and tags.

List of Files Under the File Upload Form

When you add the file upload form using the shortcode [shared_files file_upload=1], there are other files listed under the form. If you want to further customize these forms to your wants and needs, you can play around with the shortcodes to get the form you need. You can set limitations and filters. By using the parameter “only_uploaded_files” the shortcode [shared_files only_uploaded_files=1 file_upload=1] lists only such files that are added using that form.

If you want to have no files listed at all and only the file upload form, you can use the following shortcode: [shared_files file_upload=1 hide_file_list=1]. Then the files will be added to the file management for the administrator to handle.

Wrapping up

This informational era seeks new solutions, and file upload forms happen to be one of them that will allow us to take data management to another level. In this article, we have gone through some important aspects that you need to know if you are using file upload forms as your main data collection tool. Through the insights gained from this article, we hope you can improve your practices. Incorporating these ideas into practice and following the tips that we have discussed before, you will be able to significantly improve your customer’s experience and serve this tool to your needs. 

We have presented you a great file manager plugin called Shared Files. Building a file upload form is a matter of just a few clicks with this plugin. This is because the plugin offers built-in shortcodes for almost any action related to the file sharing process. Due to its helpful and user-friendly features, you can manage your downloadable files with ease, as well as enable easy file uploads directly from the front end with the help of ready-made forms.