Guides
How to Create a Booking Form in WordPress
Appointment scheduling by email back-and-forth wastes time for you and your visitors. A booking form collects preferred date, time and contact details in one structured submission so your team can confirm or call back quickly. Auto Form Builder handles booking requests free with dedicated Date and Time fields — and optional AI Conversation when you want assisted scheduling through Auto Form CRM.
What you'll need
Auto Form Builder installed free from WordPress.org — no account required for the core plugin.
Step 1: Install Auto Form Builder
Install the free plugin from WordPress.org via Plugins → Add New and activate it. Open Auto Form Builder from the admin menu to start building. No paid tier is required for date, time and notification features used in a standard booking request form.
Step 2: Create a new booking form
Click Create New Form and name it Appointment Request or similar. You can start blank or use Build with AI — describe "an appointment booking form with name, email, date, time and notes" and refine the generated fields. Keep the form focused on scheduling essentials; service-specific questions can come later via conditional logic.
Step 3: Add Date, Time and contact fields
Drag a Date field onto the canvas for the preferred appointment day — set minimum days ahead and maximum range so visitors only pick bookable dates. Add a Time field with slot intervals and earliest or latest bounds so requests arrive in realistic windows instead of vague free text. Include Name, Email and Phone so your team can confirm quickly.
Step 4: Add service or notes fields with conditional logic
Use a Dropdown for appointment type or service if you offer more than one option, then apply conditional logic to show follow-up questions only for the relevant selection — duration, location or preparation instructions. Add a Text Area for special requests or accessibility needs. Conditional logic keeps simple bookings short while still capturing detail when it matters.
Step 5: Configure notifications and confirmation email
Set an admin notification email so your team receives every booking request instantly with all field values via {submission_data} placeholders. Enable a user confirmation email summarizing what the visitor requested and what happens next — clear confirmation reduces no-shows and follow-up support questions. Store every request in the submission dashboard for staff to track pending and confirmed appointments.
Step 6: Optionally enable AI Conversation for assisted booking
The free core collects structured booking requests through Date and Time fields. When you want a conversational scheduling experience, enable AI Conversation — it is disabled by default — to guide visitors through booking dialogue and connect to Auto Form CRM for assisted appointment booking beyond a simple request form. Embed the form with its shortcode on your booking page and test a submission to confirm notifications and dashboard entries.
Tips
- Set the Date field minimum to at least one day ahead unless you genuinely accept same-day bookings — it prevents unrealistic requests your team cannot fulfill.
- Use Time field intervals that match your actual availability — 15- or 30-minute slots are easier to schedule than free-form time entry.
- Review booking requests in the submission dashboard and add internal notes so front-desk staff can track confirmed, pending and cancelled appointments in one place.
Go deeper
FAQ
Can visitors pick a specific time slot?
Yes — the Time field supports intervals and earliest or latest bounds so visitors choose from structured slots instead of typing free text.
Does the plugin book appointments automatically?
The free core collects booking requests with notifications. Optional AI Conversation connects to Auto Form CRM for assisted scheduling when you enable it.