Automated response to contact form submissions

Purpose

1.1. Reduce manual workload and ensure all contact form inquiries to Alliance churches receive timely, consistent, and accurate responses, initiate follow-up actions, acknowledge receipt, and delegate queries to the appropriate ministry teams or leaders for deeper engagement and improved pastoral care.
1.2. Maintain detailed records of every inquiry, foster direct connection with congregation members and visitors, support member assimilation, manage event or prayer requests, and enhance communications compliance by documenting all contacts.

Trigger Conditions

2.1. New entry submitted via contact form on church website or mobile app.
2.2. Webhook or API event from form platform (e.g., “form_submitted” event).
2.3. Receipt of email with subject containing “Contact Form Submission”.
2.4. Database row creation in “ContactRequests” table.
2.5. New CRM lead or contact object with “Source=Website” and “Type=Inquiry”.

Platform Variants

3.1. Google Forms
• Feature/Setting: Google Apps Script on “On form submit” trigger for automated email replies
• Sample: Script connects to Gmail API to draft and send acknowledgment email

3.2. Microsoft Forms
• Feature/Setting: Power Automate Flow with “When a new response is submitted” trigger
• Sample: Action to send Outlook email and create Teams notification

3.3. Typeform
• Feature/Setting: Webhook integration
• Sample: Config webhook to POST submissions to Lambda function, trigger email via Mailgun API

3.4. JotForm
• Feature/Setting: Integration with Zapier trigger “New Submission”
• Sample: Send auto-reply through Gmail and push data to Google Sheets

3.5. Gravity Forms (WordPress)
• Feature/Setting: “Form Submitted” event with “Notification” automation
• Sample: Configure notification email and webhook to CRM

3.6. Wufoo
• Feature/Setting: Webhook on New Entry
• Sample: Call endpoint to initiate reply with SparkPost API

3.7. Formstack
• Feature/Setting: “Submission Created” trigger in Formstack Workflows
• Sample: Send acknowledgment using Outlook 365 API

3.8. Cognito Forms
• Feature/Setting: “Form submission” webhook
• Sample: POST to middleware then send SMS reply via Twilio API

3.9. HubSpot Forms
• Feature/Setting: Workflow for “Contact enrollment trigger: Form submission”
• Sample: Use “Send email” step and “Create Note” action

3.10. Zoho Forms
• Feature/Setting: Zoho Flow automation “When a form is submitted”
• Sample: Trigger CRM integration and mail acknowledgment via Zoho Mail API

3.11. Formsite
• Feature/Setting: Notification email and webhook setting
• Sample: Notification template plus webhook to Pastor’s SMS notifier

3.12. Mailchimp Forms
• Feature/Setting: Audience “Contact form submission” trigger
• Sample: Journey automation with email confirmation

3.13. Salesforce Web-to-Lead
• Feature/Setting: Process Builder rule “Lead Created”
• Sample: Auto-respond using Email Alert action

3.14. Airtable Forms
• Feature/Setting: Automation “When record created”
• Sample: Use SendGrid automation block to reply

3.15. Pipedrive Web Forms
• Feature/Setting: Workflow Automation “Deal created from web form”
• Sample: Send templated email and assign church staff owner

3.16. Intercom Messenger
• Feature/Setting: Inbox “New Conversation” auto-reply
• Sample: Configure rule to trigger custom message or bot sequence

3.17. LiveAgent Contact Forms
• Feature/Setting: Automation rule “New Ticket from Web”
• Sample: Send templated email and categorize for pastoral follow-up

3.18. Freshdesk Contact Forms
• Feature/Setting: Dispatcher automation “Ticket is raised”
• Sample: Auto-acknowledge and assign to queue

3.19. Zendesk Web Widget
• Feature/Setting: Trigger “Ticket Created”
• Sample: Immediate reply email and Slack notification to church team

3.20. Slack Workflow Builder
• Feature/Setting: Form input submission in channel
• Sample: Auto-message to submitter, notify staff via DM

3.21. Twilio SMS
• Feature/Setting: SMS webhook “inbound message received”
• Sample: Auto-reply template and route to SMS inbox for escalation

3.22. SendGrid
• Feature/Setting: Inbound Parse Webhook
• Sample: Process new form mail, respond via SendGrid Mail Send API

3.23. Office 365 Forms + Power Automate
• Feature/Setting: Trigger “Form response submitted”
• Sample: Send response via Outlook, create action item in Teams

Benefits

4.1. Immediate, reliable acknowledgment to visitors and members.
4.2. Streamlined delegation to ministry/staff for pastoral care.
4.3. Improved engagement with prompt, informative replies.
4.4. Accurate record-keeping and traceability for compliance and follow-up.
4.5. Increased efficiency, freeing resources for mission-driven activities.