Restricting form access can be a significant and unique addition for anyone managing a membership site.
Only registered or verified users can access your form, maintaining exclusivity and security.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to restrict WordPress forms to logged in users easily.
The best part? We’ll do so in three simple steps. So stick with us, and you’ll end up with a sleek and secure form that serves your purpose.
Restrict WordPress Forms to Logged in Users
Only a few WordPress form builder plugins, including Everest Forms, provide the option to restrict form access to users. It’s one of the best and easiest-to-use plugins on the market.
Hence, we’ll be using this plugin to achieve our goal.
Step 1: Install Everest Forms Pro
The plugin is quite powerful in its free version. However, you’ll need the premium version to restrict WordPress forms on your website.
Let’s start by installing the Everest Forms plugin. It has many features and fields to create the perfect form for your website.
To install it, go to Plugins >> Add New Plugin.
Then, search for “Everest Forms” in this search bar.
Click on Install Now and wait a few minutes before activating it.
After that, you must purchase the plugin’s premium version from the official website.
Once you make the payment, you’ll receive a zip file for the pro plugin in your email.
Go to Plugins >> Add New Plugin >> Upload Plugin. Upload the zip file in this box and install it.
Then, enter the license key you received along with the zip file, and you’re done!
Step 2: Enable User Registration on your Site
A user registration system needs a registration form to feel right. Let’s create one right now!
Note: If you don’t need to create a registration form on your site, skip to Step 3, where we’ll implement form restrictions.
Go to Everest Forms >> Add New.
Here, you’ll find a bunch of pre-built templates to create different kinds of forms. You also have the option to create a new one from scratch.
For now, we’ll be using the Simple Registration form template. Hover over it and click on Get Started.
Give your form a name, and there you go, the form is ready!
Note: If you’ve used the Simple Registration form template, you’ll be asked to install the User Registration addon immediately. In that case, you may install it from there.
Now, to allow only logged-in users to access your form, we’ll first enable users to register on your site.
Go to the Everest Forms >> Add-ons page.
Then, search for the User Registration add-on and activate it by toggling the option below.
Now, go to Everest Forms >> All Forms.
There, select your registration form that you created earlier.
Then, go to your registration form from your dashboard and navigate to Settings >> User Registration.
Enable it on your form and map fields from your form here.
Mapping these fields will fill in the details about the users. Try to include as many fields as possible and map them to get the most out of the users.
You may also assign them roles after their form submission, configure login options, send emails, and more.
Before publishing this form, ensure you’re satisfied by clicking the Preview option.
After making the necessary changes, publish the form.
Here’s what the pre-built form looks like from the frontend.
You can create and customize sufficient simple forms using the User Registration add-on from Everest Forms.
However, you can try the User Registration plugin if you have specific needs or customization requirements.
Meanwhile, let’s move on to the last step.
Step 3: Enable Form Restriction on your Site
Now, let’s work on our main form, which only allows access to logged-in users. To do this, go to the Add-ons page from your dashboard.
Then, enable the Form Restriction addon from the list.
Now, create a new form for your website. We’ll create a booking/appointment form that only logged-in users can access.
We can use one of the pre-designed form templates or create one ourselves. We’ll select the Hotel Booking form.
Hover on this template and click Get Started.
Then, give the form a name to help you identify it later.
Next, add or remove fields to and from your form. Make sure you’ve everything you need.
After that, go to Settings >> Form Restriction. There, you’ll find many other options to secure your form.
Enable the User Restriction option. This will prevent any logged out users from accessing your form.
Additionally, you can customize the message you want to display to the logged-out users.
If you’re looking for more features regarding restriction, the User Registration plugin offers more including options to hide a page or post to logged out users.
For now, publish this form, and you’ll be ready to go!
Congrats! You’ve successfully created attractive forms and restricted access to logged-in users in three simple steps.
Benefits of Restricting Form Access
You probably have a reason for looking for a way to restrict form access on your form.
We assure you there are many more reasons why you should do so. Here are a few advantages of restricting form access to logged in users only.
- Enhanced Security: Limiting forms to logged in users can significantly reduce spam submissions and unauthorized access, ensuring only verified users can submit data.
- Member-Exclusive Content: Form restriction can be wise if you own a membership site and must fetch data from members only.
- Control Over Forms: You can decide which forms are accessible to everyone and which are accessible to registered users, creating a better data storage medium.
- Improvised User Engagement: Access restrictions to forms will encourage users to register on your site, allowing you to grow a more extensive community with boosted engagement rates.
- Filtered Data Collection: You may want to conduct a survey with your colleagues or team. Restricting access to them only can help you obtain better data and feedback for particular reasons.
Conclusion
Let’s take a quick recap as to what we’ve accomplished in this article.
We’ve successfully created a registration form, a booking form that’s only accessible to logged in users, and discovered a few benefits of restricting form access.
We hope we’ve helped enhance your WordPress forms. If you’re looking for more ways, visit our blog.
Finally, if you’ve enjoyed this article, we see no reason not to share it with your friends on social media.