How to make a form for your webpage and shopping cart

I'm in the process of doing a webpage, and instead of having all my contact detail or email address on there I would like a form that a user can fill and just submit. Any hints on how you do this, I noticed Guy has one in his contacts.

Also I would like a shopping cart that a user can just click a button and it ends up in a cart for them, Is this something that only works if your web host has that??

Thanks

Keith - the code below is for the form I use on my web site. You would obviously have to edit out all my information and put in yours, but I left my info in there so you could see what needed to be changed and wehre it would go. If you have any questions, you better ask Guy or someone who actually knows something about this stuff because I haven't a clue. Somelse inserted this for me on my site.

To see what the form looks like, try this link my form page

Hope this helps.


<!-- Begin Email Form Code -->
<form method="post" action="/_ihnextras/cgi/cgishell.exe?replytovendor,http_referer=http://enchantedlightphotography.ihoststudio.com/newsletter_page.html">
<input type="hidden" name="recipient" value="enchantedlight@mchsi.com">
<input type="hidden" name="redirect" value="http://www.enchantedlightphotography.com/Thank_you_URL.html">
<pre>
Name: <input type="text" name="name" size="40">
Email: <input type="text" name="email" size="40">
Subject: <input type="text" name="Subject" size="40" value="Newsletter Subscription">
Comments:
<textarea name="comments" cols="40" rows="8"></textarea>
<input type=submit value="Submit" name="submit"><input type=reset name="reset">
</pre>
</form>
<!-- End Email Form Code -->

Oops, the actual form objects came over instead of the code. I will email you the code - hopefully that'll work.

You will probably have to get into html code and insert it into your web page, so your site builder must have the ability to display and edit the html code.

Here is a site that offers what you want for email: HERE

Your web site host should have instructions about shopping cart support if they offer it.

Forms, such as a 'contact me' e-mail form or a 'shopping cart', must have a 'form handler' script that resides on the server, in order to work. Simply having the html code on a page on your site will not do anything for you.

There are several canned scripts and their associated forms available; many (but not all) of them take advantage of cgi script languages such as PhP or PERL.

-PB

Thanks Guys, Bill your code works great to get the layout but as the others have said there is a script file I need also. Time to look for a web host

Keith,

When you look for a web host be sure the plan includes shopping cart support. Some plans include it with the monthly rate, others charge for it as an add-on. I strongly suggest that when you find a potential host and a pan that looks like it will suit your needs, give the company a call on the phone and discuss your needs with them. If they know their stuff and are wiilling to help you get started, that's a big plus.

For form handlers such as 'search' or 'contact', see if your proposed host will install the scripts for you. Some will, some won't. A good host's website will have links to resources where you can find scripts that will do the job for you.

I use Web.com (formerly Interland). I've been pleased with their service and support.

Let us know what your final solution is.

-PB

You can also make a form... to just fill, print, then mail, in MS Word. You save it as a web page and put it on your site. I am sure what you all are talking about is much more involved.