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Using iWeb to Create a Contact Form

Using Apple iWeb to add an email form to your website is outlined within this tutorial. Please note that this tutorial was created without actually owning a copy of iWeb, so there are limited screen captures. The basic procedure however should be fairly accurate. If it is not, please let me know.

1. Create Your Form HTML

Before getting started in iWeb, you're best off creating the HTML form code separately. myContactForm.com is a free and simple use form creator which can help you do this. Please read our myContactForm.com tutorial here.

2. Open iWeb

3. Create or Open the Page Where You Want the Form

4. Add the Form HTML to Your File

a. Click the Web Widget button.

b. Click HTML Snippet to create a new HTML Snippet Widget.

c. Paste the form HTML into the HTML Snippet Window (Edit > Paste). If you do not have your form code created and copied, please read this tutorial to learn how to do so.

d. Click Apply

5. Save your Form

a. Select File > Save

6. Publish the Form to Your Website

There are a variety of ways to publish your website depending on whether it is being hosted on .MAC or your own private web server. Publish the file containing your form as you would typically do so.

7. Test Your Form

Open a web browser and go to the web page containing your form. Fill out the form and press the submit button to test it.

Common Problems Encountered by Users:

I submit the form and get a form location error.

This is typically caused when you are testing a form that has not yet been published to your live website. In addition, because iWeb places HTML Widgets within a separate iframe, the location is not always as you would expect. If you are still having this problem once you have uploaded the file to the live website, please read below.

If you are using myContactForm.com, you will need to login there and make sure that you've set the Form Location setting to the proper URL for your form.

a. Login to myContactForm.com

b. Click the Edit Button

c. Click the Basic Form Information Button

d. Enter all variations of the URL where the form will appear. Typically this is the full URL of the iframe that iWeb creates to hold your form. Because iWeb uses an iframe to display the HTML Widget, you are best off copying the form location directly from the error message that is displayed. This URL will probably look odd (name you don't recognize, extra forward slashes, etc.) but, it is correct.

e. Click