How to Embed a Contact Form on Your Website | DIY vs Google Forms vs FormShield

How Should You Set Up a Contact Form?

You want to add a contact form to your corporate or service website. But when it comes time to implement, many people wonder: 'Should I build it myself? Or use an external service?' Choosing the right approach is especially important for companies without developers or startups looking to minimize costs.

Option 1: Build from Scratch (HTML + Backend)

Create forms in HTML and implement server-side processing. Pros: - Full design customization - Complete control over data storage and notifications - No external dependencies Cons: - Requires backend development (server, database, email) - Spam protection must be built manually - Ongoing maintenance costs This is the most flexible option for teams with technical expertise, but can be burdensome for small businesses.

Option 2: Embed Google Forms

Embed a Google Forms form on your website via iframe. Pros: - Completely free - No programming required - Responses auto-saved to Google Sheets Cons: - Design is locked to Google's style, inconsistent with your brand - Limited spam protection (reCAPTCHA only) - No Slack/LINE notification support (requires Google Apps Script) - Redirects to Google Forms after submission Convenient but may undermine your corporate website's professional appearance.

Option 3: FormShield (Embeddable Form Service)

FormShield lets you embed a contact form by adding just one line of code. Pros: - One-line HTML tag installation - UI that blends naturally with your site design - Built-in 4-layer spam protection - Real-time notifications to Slack, LINE, Chatwork, and Discord - Free plan includes up to 50 submissions per month Cons: - Advanced customization requires higher-tier plans - Dependency on external service FormShield delivers the functionality of a custom-built form without any programming.

Comparison of All Three Methods

Setup Difficulty: - DIY: High (developer required) - Google Forms: Low (no-code) - FormShield: Low (one-line copy-paste) Design Flexibility: - DIY: High - Google Forms: Low (Google style only) - FormShield: Medium-High (theme customizable) Spam Protection: - DIY: Must build yourself - Google Forms: reCAPTCHA only - FormShield: 4-layer defense built-in Notifications: - DIY: Must build yourself - Google Forms: None (requires custom scripting) - FormShield: Slack/LINE/Chatwork/Discord supported

Summary

The best contact form solution depends on your technical capabilities, budget, and required features. DIY for developer teams, Google Forms for minimal needs, and FormShield for the best balance of simplicity and functionality. FormShield offers a free plan to get started. Oflight Inc. is also available for consulting on form implementation and website development.