As a nonprofit webmaster with over 15 years of experience, I can tell you that an online volunteer application form is invaluable. It makes it so much easier to recruit and manage volunteers on your WordPress site.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn:
- Key stats on volunteer recruitment
- Benefits of using a WordPress application form
- Form customization tips for different use cases
- Plugin recommendations for enhanced functionality
- Promotion strategies to attract more applicants
- And more expert insights!
Let‘s dig in…
Contents
The Need for Online Volunteer Applications
Volunteer recruitment and management takes a lot of effort. But it‘s a crucial task because volunteers are the lifeblood of nonprofits and charitable orgs.
Here are some key stats on volunteering in America:
- 25% of nonprofits say recruiting volunteers is their #1 challenge.
- 57% of volunteers first look for opportunities on an organization‘s website.
- 44% of volunteers stop volunteering due to poor management.
An online application form helps overcome these challenges by:
- Allowing people to easily apply through your website.
- Collecting all required information upfront in a centralized dashboard.
- Providing a better onboarding experience for volunteers.
This saves you time and resources on recruitment and management.
Step-by-Step Guide to Build Your Volunteer Application Form
Let‘s look at how to create an online volunteer application form in WordPress:
Choose a Form Builder Plugin
There are many form builder plugins for WordPress, but I recommend WPForms for several reasons:
- User-friendly drag-and-drop form builder
- Great selection of templates including volunteer forms
- Options for basic free version or more advanced paid version
- Trusted by over 5 million websites
Other solid options are Gravity Forms, Contact Form 7, and Ninja Forms.
Install and Set Up WPForms
Install and activate the WPForms plugin on your site. On the settings page, connect your WPForms account if you‘re using the Pro version.
This gives you access to the full library of templates and advanced features.
Create New Form From Template
In the WPForms dashboard, click Add New to open the form builder. Name your form something like "Volunteer Application".
Select the Volunteer Application template under Form Templates to instantly create a basic application form.
Now let‘s customize it for your needs…
Customize Form Fields
The fields in the volunteer form template cover the basics like name, email, skills, etc.
You can edit these fields or add new ones using the +Add Fields menu.
Some field types you may want to include:
- Dropdown menu for availability times
- Checkboxes for areas of interest
- File upload for resume/CV
Make relevant fields required so users must fill them out before submitting.
For specific use cases, here are some suggested fields to add:
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Regular volunteers: Ask for their desired frequency and availability schedule.
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Event volunteers: Ask which upcoming events they are interested in.
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Board members: Add fields for their experience, occupation, etc.
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Nonprofit employees: Include uploaded documents like background checks.
Customize your fields based on what information you need from applicants.
Configure Form Settings
The Form Settings tab lets you configure notifications, confirmations, and other preferences:
- Set applicant emails to receive their submission.
- Enable anti-spam protection like captcha.
- Customize confirmation messages after submitting.
- Send notification emails to staff when a form is submitted.
These settings ensure smooth form operations.
Add Form to Your Website
Use the WPForms block in the WordPress editor to easily embed your form into any page or post. Want it in your sidebar or footer? Use the WPForms widget instead.
Now publish your page and you‘re ready to start accepting online volunteer applications!
Enhance Your Volunteer Form with These Plugins
WPForms provide a solid volunteer application form, but here are some complementary plugins I recommend:
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User Registration – Allows users to create an account when applying. Great for recurring volunteers.
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Conditional Logic – Show or hide fields based on user inputs. Useful for branching application flows.
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Multi-part Forms – Break long forms into multiple pages for better user experience.
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Form Abandonment – Gets emails and stats on incomplete/abandoned applications.
These plugins extend the functionality of WPForms for volunteer and job application forms.
Promote Your Online Application Form
Here are some tips to attract more applicants:
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Add links in website headers and footers pointing to the form.
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List it under a "Volunteer With Us" page.
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Highlight it in website popups and banners.
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Advertise it on social media and email newsletters.
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Offer incentives for signing up like t-shirts or membership perks.
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Run targeted ads to your audience demographic.
Cast a wide net through online channels to make the form visible.
Recap and Final Thoughts
Here are the key takeaways:
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Online volunteer application forms streamline recruitment and management.
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WPForms provides an easy-to-use form builder with handy templates.
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Customize fields based on specific information you need from applicants.
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Enhance functionality with complementary plugins.
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Promote your form widely through online channels.
I hope this detailed guide helps you maximize your volunteer program with WordPress forms. Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions!
