The VistaWP plugin provides convenient shortcodes that allow you to integrate different types of real estate search forms into your WordPress website. These forms are designed to enhance the user experience and help visitors find properties that match their criteria. Though these forms come built into VistaWP they are basic forms that do not allow much customization we recommend to use either Fluent Forms or Formidable Forms Pro as these form builders allows customization as well as integrations into services such as Zapier or a CRM In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through the process of using the three main shortcodes: [vista_basic_form], [vista_advanced_form], and [vista_search_form].
Step 1: Installation and Activation
Before you begin, make sure you have already installed and activated the VistaWP plugin on your WordPress site. You can find the plugin in the WordPress Plugin Repository or install it manually.
Step 2: Adding Shortcodes to Pages or Posts
Shortcodes are added directly to the pages or posts where you want the forms to appear. Let’s explore each shortcode and its features:
. [vista_basic_form]
The [vista_basic_form] shortcode creates a basic property search form with a limited set of fields. This form is ideal for users who want to quickly search for properties based on essential criteria. Here’s what the basic form includes:
- Search: This is the primary search input where users can input keywords, location, property ID, or other relevant search terms.
- Property Type: Users can select from the available property types, such as Residential, Condominium, Multifamily, or Land.
- Minimum Price: Users can set a minimum price to filter properties within their budget.
- Maximum Price: Similar to the minimum price, users can set a maximum price to narrow down search results by budget.
- Minimum Beds: Users can specify the minimum number of bedrooms they desire in a property.
- Minimum Baths: This field enables users to specify the minimum number of bathrooms they want in a property.
This basic form provides essential fields for users who have a general idea of their property preferences and budget. It’s designed for those who want to quickly search for properties without delving into more specific criteria. The inclusion of property type, price range, and basic bedroom and bathroom preferences ensures a simple and user-friendly property search experience.
2. [vista_advanced_form]
Here’s a breakdown of the properties available in the [vista_advanced_form] shortcode:
- Search: This is the main search input where users can input keywords, location, property ID, or any other relevant search terms.
- Property Type: Users can select the type of property they’re interested in, such as house, apartment, condo, etc.
- Minimum Price: Users can set a minimum price to filter properties within their budget.
- Maximum Price: Similar to the minimum price, users can set a maximum price to narrow down search results by budget.
- Minimum Beds: Users can specify the minimum number of bedrooms they desire in a property.
- Minimum Baths: This field enables users to specify the minimum number of bathrooms they want in a property.
- Minimum Sqft: Users can set the minimum square footage of the property they’re looking for.
- Minimum Lot Acres: If relevant, users can set the minimum lot size in acres for the property.
- Minimum Year Built: Users can specify the minimum year a property should have been built.
- Minimum Garage Spaces: If applicable, users can set the minimum number of garage spaces for the property.
- Listings Per Page: Users can choose how many property listings they want to view per page.
This advanced form provides a comprehensive array of options for users who have specific preferences and requirements when searching for properties. It empowers them to fine-tune their search criteria to find properties that closely match their needs. The inclusion of properties like square footage, lot size, year built, and garage spaces allows for a highly customized property search experience.
3. [vista_search_form]
The [vista_search_form] shortcode generates a streamlined property search form that focuses solely on the search functionality. This form is useful when you want to dedicate a page exclusively to property searches without overwhelming users with additional fields. The search form includes:
- Search: Provides a field for users to input the desired location or area.
- Search Button: A button that users can click to initiate the property search.
The search form is suitable for users who are primarily concerned with quickly finding properties based on a specific location or property ID.
Here is an example of How to use a shortcode on your site.
The [vista_basic_form] shortcode displays a basic property search form with minimum price, maximum price, and minimum baths fields. Here’s how to use it:
- Create a new page or edit an existing one.
- In the content editor, insert the
[vista_basic_form]shortcode or any shortcode you wish to use . - Save or update the page.
When visitors access this page, they will see a basic search form with the specified fields.
Step 3: Testing and Troubleshooting
After adding the shortcodes to your pages, it’s important to thoroughly test them to ensure they’re working as expected. Test different search criteria to make sure the forms are accurately filtering properties.
If you encounter any issues, refer to the plugin’s documentation or support resources for troubleshooting help.