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Understanding the differences between lead forms, contact forms, and smart files

The key differences in the functionalities and use cases for forms and files

Updated this week

When you're deciding whether you should use a lead form, contact form, or a smart file to accomplish a task, you should know what each feature can do. Here's a breakdown of the differences in use cases and functionality:

Lead forms

Contact forms

Smart files

Capture and qualify new leads

Yes

Yes

No

Allow clients to select services

Yes

No

Yes

Allow clients to book and pay for services instantly

Yes

No

Yes

Allow clients to schedule sessions, consultations, or meetings

Yes

No

Yes

Share with anyone via public link (no contact information or pre-established project required)

Yes

Yes

No

Connect to automations

Yes

Yes

Yes

Embed on a website

Yes

Yes

No

Must be sent through an existing project

No

No

Yes

Will create a new project upon submission

Yes (though you have some control over this—learn more here)

Yes

No

Lead forms are intended to be public-facing—anyone can fill out a lead form any number of times. Lead form submitters don't have to be your existing clients (in fact, it's recommended to use lead forms for lead generation). Note that when a lead form is submitted, by default, a new project will be created in HoneyBook

Smart files must be sent through a project, which are like the "folders" that house all of the communication, files, and information related to a specific "job." Any actions on a smart file can be completed only once per send. In other words, if you send a smart file questionnaire through a project, it can be filled out only once, by only one participant (though other participants can view it).

Ultimately, you should find yourself using lead forms to capture leads and spark relationships with prospects, then smart files to win clients and close projects. Contact forms are similar to lead forms, but with limited functionality.

Still have questions? Feel free to send us a message by clicking the Question Mark icon on any HoneyBook page. Our team is always happy to help!