> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.retainful.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create a form

> Design a signup form, attach an incentive, and publish it to your storefront.

## 1. Start from a template

Go to **Signup Forms** and click **Create form**. Pick a template that matches the type you want — popup, exit intent, add-to-cart, or embedded. Everything is editable afterwards.

## 2. Design it

The form editor has three tabs:

### Design

Visual styling — colors, fonts (including any Google Font), buttons, spacing, and an optional image. The same controls style the **teaser** (the small collapsed tab that stays visible after a visitor dismisses the popup) and the coupon display. A custom CSS box is there if you want fine-grained control, but most forms never need it.

### Content

What the form says and collects:

* **Heading and description** — lead with the value: "Get 10% off your first order" beats "Subscribe to our newsletter".
* **Fields** — email is the core; you can also collect names, phone, or answers stored in [custom fields](/audience/custom-fields). Every extra field lowers conversion, so ask only for what you'll use.
* **Discount** — optionally attach a coupon that's revealed after signup. Welcome discounts routinely double signup rates.
* **Custom HTML** — for anything the standard blocks don't cover.

### Rules

When and where the form appears — covered in [Display rules](/forms/display-rules).

## 3. The three phases

A form is really three screens:

1. **Signup phase** — the ask: heading, fields, button.
2. **Success phase** — the thank-you, and the coupon reveal if you attached one.
3. **Teaser** — the collapsed tab shown before opening or after dismissal, so interested visitors can reopen the form anytime.

Preview each phase from the editor before publishing.

## 4. Connect the list

Choose which [list](/audience/lists) new signups join. If you have a welcome automation triggered by that list, new subscribers enter it automatically — this is the recommended setup.

## 5. Review and publish

The review step checks everything's in place; then click **Publish**. The form goes live on your storefront within a few minutes.

<Check>
  Visit your store in a private browser window to see the form as a new visitor would. (Forms typically don't re-show to people who already subscribed or dismissed them — a fresh session shows the true experience.)
</Check>

## Pause or edit anytime

Forms can be **paused** (hidden from your store) and resumed without losing their design or stats. Edits to a published form go live on your storefront automatically.