Fast
Instructions For Experienced Users:
These instructions are best
viewed using an HTML editor, or your browser.
It is not best viewed using a simple text editor.
But you may use what you like.
Here We Go:
Load:
1.
Unzip the
forms-bwf.zip package into a new folder on your
computer. Use a program for unzipping called
WinZip. Then, using an FTP
program such as the free one we highly recommend at
http://filezilla-project.org/, upload to your website's
server.
2. On a Linux server, your main
folder is usually called "public_html", or called "htdocs".
But whatever your main directory is called, put it there. Put the
folder called "forms-bwf"
inside of the "public_html" or main directory (what ever it is called).
On Windows servers, the folder is sometimes called "www".
If you have a sub-domain, put it in that directory.
Permissions:
Then
set the permissions for the folder
you uploaded the forms package into (called: forms-bwf),
and the folder "temp"
and the file named
configbwf.php.
Standard Settings:
For most Linux servers, set permissions to 777 on the
Web Forms Package folder "forms-bwf",
and set permissions to 777
on the temp folder, and configbwf.php.
Note: If setting the permissions
to 777 does not work on your server, then try
setting the permissions to 755.
Server Specific
Settings:
Netsolutions Linux
servers:
forms: 765
temp: 765
configbwf.php: 664 |
For HostMonster Linux:
forms: 755
temp: 755
configbwf.php: 664 |
|
|
For HostGator Linux:
forms: 755
temp: 755
configbwf.php: 777 |
|
Note: Even if your hosting
company is not one of the "Server Specific Settings" above, if the
"Standard Settings" do not work, then the above settings might.
With many FTP programs, such as the free
one we highly recommend at http://filezilla-project.org/,
you
set permissions by "right clicking" with your mouse on the file or
folder. Then scroll down to "file attributes".
Also, if your website is on a Windows server, they
use a different method of setting "permissions"
for your files. You will need to log into your main hosting account
with your hosting company to change permissions as needed. You might
need to contact them to do this for you, and maybe to "turn on" PHP, if
it is available. Linux servers are much easier to
set permissions on.
If you have a godaddy Windows server, then read the included file:
notes_about_godaddy_windows_permissions.html
and even if your windows server is not godaddy, you may find it helpful.
Connect:
3. Connect to the internet.
Then, using your browser, open your Web Form Designer
at:
http://www.insert-your-website-here.com/forms-bwf/loginbwf.php.
ADMIN LOGIN:
The default username is: admin
AND the default password is also: admin
Now - After logging
in, change your password to something easy for you to remember.
Also write it down.
(A common mistake
people make is they try to open the Web Form Designer
with Dreamweaver or FrontPage, Expression Web, or other HTML editor.
This does nothing. You must view the Web Form Designer from your server,
because it is the PHP language that runs on your server that makes
everything work.)
Also Note: Just so you know, the
entire and sole function of the Web Form Designer is to make changes to
the configbwf.php file. Setting the permissions for
configbwf.php to 777
allows this to happen.
Important:
There are some hosting companies that do not allow
their customers to set permissions. It is for this reason that you can
also make changes directly to the configbwf.php
file, and not use the Web Form Designer. If you
cannot set your permissions, then see below under "Important".
NOTE FOR WINDOWS SERVER USERS: Our Web
Forms 3.0 is designed to work on servers with PHP
installed. Not all Windows servers have PHP. See below.
Also, Windows servers use a different method of
setting "permissions" for your files. You will need to log into your
main hosting account to change permissions as needed. Note: Windows
servers
that are IIS 6.0
do not usually support PHP. So you mau need to upgrade to IIS 7.0. Contact
your web host about this. You can usually switch for free. But the
files on your server will need to be uploaded again.
Paste:
4. Using the Web Form Designer,
make your selections and press "Save Changes".
Create your iFrame Code Snippet and paste it into
an existing webpage on your server that has enough "open space" on the
webpage for the form to load into. It is also a good idea to set your
cell height to be taller than the iFrame code height. Upload that page
to your server. Then view it in your browser.
You are done with the basic
installation.
You do not need to read any further. But you can choose to read below
if you wish to have a broader understanding of how our program works
and its various options.
Also
see below:
To
Customize and Adjust Your Thank You Page - highly recommended
Mini-Lesson in Creating New Form Fields
You
may also want to check out the
tips.html file located in your download.
Thank
you.
Enjoy.
Optional: Create A Mysql Database
To Store Your Form Results:
5. To use this database option,
you must enter the valid database, username and password for this MySQL
database feature to store your web form results information. Create a
database/table called bwfcontacts
that you may later access with a tool such as phpMyAdmin.
So remember to set up your database with username and password along
with all permissions on your host's
control panel. There is a short tutorial on how to create a MySQL
database on cPanel Linux at:
http://www.bestwebforms.com/mysql-database-tutorial.php
Note: There are a few servers that also need permissions set on dbconfig and dbinfo.enc files, but most not.
*******************************************************************
To learn more
about the PHP that is installed on your website's server, we have
included the file phptest.php which contains just
the following line of code:
After uploading to your server: enter the full url of this file into
your browser. For example: http://www.your-website.com/forms-bwf/phptest.php.
If the test does not function at all, then you probably do not have php
installed. But you should double check with your host. On some servers,
your hosting company may need to "turn it on", or they can switch you
to one that has it.
Note:
For added security, you might wish to delete this file from your server
when you are done.
********************************************************************
Complete
Instructions For Basic Installation
Web
Form Designer Instructions:
Note: It is assumed that you read
the system requirements page on the BestWebForms.com website. The
coding language PHP is needed for this program to
function. Most servers today have PHP already installed. A Linux server
is also highly recommended, but Windows works too if it has PHP, which
most do.
Now Here We Go:
The complete instructions may sound a little complicated, but if you
follow all the steps, you shouldn't have any problem.
The below example sub-directory is called "forms-bwf". But you can name the folder/directory something different if you wish.
Once you have uploaded all the files into a directory on your server,
you are ready for
the final steps.
NOW THIS
IS VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Permissions:
Then
set the permissions for the folder
you uploaded the forms package into (called: forms-bwf),
and the folder "temp"
and the file named
configbwf.php.
For most Linux servers, set the permissions to 777
for:
folder: forms-bwf
folder: temp
file: configbwf.php
Note: If setting the permissions
to 777 does not work on your server, then try
setting the permissions to 755.
Netsolutions Linux
servers:
forms: 765
temp: 765
configbwf.php: 664 |
For HostMonster Linux:
forms: 755
temp: 755
configbwf.php: 664 |
|
|
For HostGator Linux:
forms: 755
temp: 755
configbwf.php: 777 |
|
The
above settings might work for your server too.
Also, if you use a Windows
server, they use a different method of setting "permissions"
for your files. You will need to log into your main hosting account
with your hosting company to change permissions as needed. You might
need to contact them to do this for you, and maybe to "turn on" PHP, if
it is available. Linux servers are much easier to
set permissions on.
If you have a godaddy Windows server, then read the
included file:
notes_about_godaddy_windows_permissions.html
Note: When using an FTP program, make sure that
when you "right click" on a folder that the folder finishes "loading"
before setting the permissions. If you see the files still "scrolling"
behind the "properties" window, then you need to wait a few moments.
When the files finish loading, then you can set permissions.
If your hosting
company does not allow permissions to be set:
If your hosting company does not allow you to set permissions, then it
is possible to make your changes directly to the configbwf.php file by
opening it into a text editor and entering your choices there. Then
upload your changed file. This can be a bit difficult for beginners
though.
NOTE FOR
WINDOWS SERVER USERS: Our Web Forms
3.0 is designed to work on servers with PHP installed. Not
all Windows servers have PHP. See below.
Also, Windows servers use a different method of
setting "permissions" for your files. You will need to log into your
main hosting account to change permissions as needed.
If your website's server does not have PHP
installed,
we recommend switching to a Linux hosting company. We can fully and
confidently
recommend these 2 hosting companies. Our Complete Web Forms
Package works
perfectly on them, and they are both around $5 per
month.
They are:
ixWebHosting.com
and
GoDaddy.com
and countless others.
Now let's continue with the Web
Form Designer:
After you have uploaded everything to your website's server,
point your browser to loginbwf.php
(inserting your own website url
in the link below):
http://www.insert-your-website.com/forms-bwf/loginbwf.php
- recommended
or:
http://www.insert-your-website.com/forms-bwf/adminbwf.php
ADMIN LOGIN:
The default username is admin
AND the default password is also admin
So enter those into the login screen.
It is highly
recommended that you change
the default username and password to something easy
for you to remember. We, at BestWebForms.com, do not have access to
your username or password. So you must make certain to write it down.
Security Choice Settings
There are 4 Security Choice settings.
Security
Choice A: Full CAPTCHA image security. If you
view your adminbwf.php on your server, and you do not see the images
under Security Choice A, then this means that your
server does not have GD Support for True Type Fonts and for
Free Type enabled. To learn more, you can go to:
http://www.BestWebForms.com/GD_Support.php. Choice B
will most likely be your next choice.
Security
Choice B: This Security Choice is not a CAPTCHA,
but it is a random rotating image character script. The letter code is
created by rotating images of letters, which a
human being must match, and a computer cannot read. It is also very
secure.
Security
Choice C: This Security Choice is not as secure
as Choices A or B. Instead of
using images of letters (and hiding the image names in the "back-end"
programming), the program uses actual browser text.
Security
Choice D: This has the least security, but might
best be suited to those who just don't wish to be concerned about spam.
Your email address is still hidden from spam robots that search the web
retrieving as many email addresses as the robot can find. Your email
address is not visible to these spiders because your email address is
in the "back-end" of the programming.
Caution though: Without the user
needing to type in a security code, it is still easy for a spam robot
to "click" the submit button and send you spam.
In the Web Form Designer, set up the email address
you want your emails to be sent to.
The Web Form Designer does not "create" an email
address account. You need to do that separate from this program through
your website server's administration interface. It is recommended that
you use a brand new email address. This way, no spam robots will be
aware of the email address. Make sure you test your new email address
to make sure it is working and that your email
program is "fetching" the email. When your email
program, such as Outlook Express, is set to
retrieve email from a specific email address, then the delivery and
receipt of your email will occur more quickly.
Now preview your form: First press a "Save Changes"
button.
Then preview a form by clicking on a form link. You can also link to
your forms
from your website by copying and pasting the URL that appears in the
browser address line of
the window that opens:
http://www.insert-your-website.com/forms-bwf/formbwf.php?f=1
or:
http://insert-your-website.com/forms-bwf/formbwf.php?f=contactus-classic.html
or for a Spanish form:
http://www.insert-your-website.com/forms-bwf/formbwf-spanish.php?f=48
In the above url "f=1",
the "1" is for the web form file named
"contactus-classic.html". If your form is a different one, like
"Contact Form - Complete" (which is contactus-complete.html), then the
end of this link would be "f=2".
Note:
Linking to your form in the above way does not use
an iFrame method. An iFrame actually creates a page within a page on
your website. It is the same method that Amazon uses for its affiliate
stores and is supported by all browsers. You can also see the included
file:
non-iframe-method.html
Using
the iFrame Code Snippet is highly recommended:
To
insert your form into an existing page on your
website (with an iFRAME code snippet), click one of
the "Generate iFrame Code" buttons and then copy and
paste the code that appears in the box (right click with your mouse)
and insert the copied code into the code of your webpage where you want
the form to appear.
Remember to click the "Save Changes" button.
You may want to adjust the width and height of the iFRAME, and you can
do that by modifying the
'width' and 'height' attributes:
|
<iframe
src="http://www.insert-your-website.com/forms-bwf/formbwf.php?f=1&iframe=yes"
width="424" height="1000" frameborder="0"
scrolling="no"></iframe> |
|
---------
Important Note: It is best to shorten the
"path" code in the iFrame code snippet.
For example:
<iframe
src="http://www.insert-your-website.com/forms-bwf/formbwf.php?f=1&iframe=yes"
width="425" height="1000" frameborder="0"
scrolling="no"></iframe>
Can become:
<iframe name="bwfIFRAME"
src="../forms-bwf/formbwf.php?f=1&iframe=yes" width="425"
height="1000" frameborder="0"
scrolling="no"></iframe> |
The above
is a very smart thing to do for everyone,
because some browsers might see the "http" as a "3rd party script" and
choose to not display your form. This is also recommended if you are
using a SSL certificate for a shopping cart. This way, the SSL
certificate will not see the "http" as a non-secure item. Note:
If you have an SSL Certificate on your website, you can add https to your
iFrame Code Snippet if you wish.
---------
Once you have pasted the iFrame code snippet into
an existing webpage, then you can name the page anything you want, and
then link to it from within your website.
For instance, if you named it "contact_me.html" or "contact_me.php",
the full url would be:
http://www.insert-your-website.com/contact_me.html
(or with the .php extension).
Once you've finished your Web Form Designer session, click the "Logout"
link to log out.
It is highly recommended that you log out of the Web Form Designer.
That's it!
Use the Web Form Designer and iFrame Code
Snippet. It is easiest.
You are done.
But if you wish to, you can program the configbwf.php
file directly. Read below.
More Form
Configuration
Customize Look And
Feel
Mini-Lesson
in Creating New Form Fields
|