How to Create a Custom User Registration Form in WordPress (Step-by-Step)

Collecting user information is crucial, but the default WordPress registration form leaves a lot to be desired.

This comprehensive guide will teach you how to create a custom WordPress registration form to:

• Match your website‘s branding
• Gather additional user details
• Set up post registration automation
• Improve user experience

Over 28% of users abandon online forms due to bad design. A custom form increases conversion rate by up to 22%.

Let‘s get started…

Why You Need a Custom Registration Form

The default WordPress form may look out of place on your beautifully designed website.

It only collects basic user details – not enough for segmentation or targeting. Plus you have limited control over style and layout.

With a customized form, you can:

Match Branding

Seamlessly blend your registration flow into existing pages through custom styling. Provide a unified user experience.

Collect More Information

Gather crucial details like phone number, address, company name etc. Better data leads to higher retention.

Reduce Abandonment Rates

Optimize field validation, layout and success messages to increase form completion rate.

Set Up Automation

Connect to email services like Mailchimp or CRMs like HubSpot using plugins like WPForms. Send sequences or trigger events on sign ups.

Enhance Customization

Change field labels, customize validation, redirect users, add honeypot spam protection and more.

Let‘s look at step-by-step how to create a custom registration form using WPForms plugin.

Step 1. Install and Activate WPForms

I recommend using WPForms – the best drag & drop WordPress form builder trusted by over 5 million websites.

Installing WPForms is simple:

1. In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New
2. Search for ‘WPForms‘ and click Install Now
3. Activate WPForms

Next, you need to enable the User Registration addon…

Step 2. Enable User Registration Addon

WPForms integrates directly with WordPress user system through its addon:

1. Visit WPForms > Addons
2. Under User Registration, click Activate
3. Enter your WPForms license key if prompted

You can now access registration and login form templates.

WPForms offers a lite version but user registration features require WPForms Pro – available from $39/year.

Step 3. Build Your Custom Registration Form

WPForms drag & drop form builder makes creating WordPress registration forms easy:

1. Go to WPForms > Add New
2. Select the User Registration Form template
3. Edit fields or add new ones like name, email etc.
4. Customize labels, descriptions and validation rules
5. Click Save when done

Here are some form design best practices to follow:

Recommended Default Fields

• First Name
• Last Name
• Email
• Password

Commonly Added Fields

• Phone Number
• Country
• Company

Validation Rules

Mark crucial fields as required. Set character limits. Add duplicate email prevention for returning users.

Layout

Organize fields into sections. Ensure primary CTA stands out.

Success Message

Show confirmation that account was created successfully. Offer seamless login or onboarding.

Let‘s move on to connecting your registration form.

Step 4: Map Form Fields and Settings

To sync your custom registration form with WordPress users system:

1. Edit the registration form
2. Navigate to Settings > User Registration
3. Match form fields with corresponding WordPress options
4. Click Save to store configuration

Under Redirect Options, customize where users will land post registration.

You can send admin notifications and configure user emails too.

Step 5: Display Registration Form on Your Website

WPForms makes it easy to embed your form anywhere using:

Shortcodes

Add registration form via shortcode to posts, pages or text widgets.

Page Builder Blocks

Drag and drop the WPForms block on your page builder. Provides customization options.

Form Widget

Add registration form to sidebars or footer widget area from the Widgets screen.

For best user experience, I recommend using SeedProd plugin to create a dedicated registration landing page with your form.

You‘re all set to accept user signups!

Additional Tips and Tricks

Here are some pro tips for enhanced customization:

• Add interest checkboxes to gather consent
• Use conditional logic to show selective fields
• Create multi-page registration forms to reduce drop off rate
• Implement CAPTCHA anti-spam protection
• Mask or disable password visibility
• Set up double opt-in by sending confirmation email

WPForms makes it easy to design the perfect registration flow for your WordPress site!

I hope this step-by-step guide helped set up your custom user registration form. Let me know if you have any questions in the comments section!