Configure success, error, and validation feedback

Form feedback tells visitors whether data needs correction, is being processed, or has been accepted. Configure messages before launch so the form never relies on a generic response for a normal outcome.

Set site-wide defaults

Open Settings → POM Theme → Forms → Forms defaults. This area provides:

• Form success message
• Form error message
• A full set of validation messages
• Default privacy-clause behavior

These values provide the fallback for forms that do not set their own text.

Override one form

1. Open Forms → All Forms and select the form.
2. Open Messages/Behavior → Custom Messages.
3. Enter a Success Message that confirms receipt and explains the next step.
4. Enter an Error Message for a processing failure.
5. Review the Validation Error Message summary.
6. Override individual field-error messages only where the site default is insufficient.
7. Leave any message empty when it should inherit Forms defaults.
8. Save the form.

The same panel includes messages for required values, field formats, lengths, number boundaries, dates, selections, uploads, submission progress, and reCAPTCHA.

Choose what happens after success

With AJAX (No page reload), the form can:

• Show its success message on the current page.
• Scroll to Success Message.
• Disable Form After Submission.
• Redirect immediately or after Redirect Delay (seconds).

Enable Enable Redirect After Submission and choose either Custom URL or WordPress Page when the visitor must continue elsewhere. The success message can still appear during a delayed redirect.

Write useful text

A success message should not claim that an email, webhook, or created post succeeded unless that destination is verified independently. The AJAX response confirms that the form pipeline accepted the request; external delivery can still require operational monitoring.

An error message should avoid technical details and personal data. Tell the visitor whether to correct a field, retry, or use a safe alternative contact route.

Test all feedback states

Submit:

1. An empty required field.
2. An invalid email or other typed value.
3. A prohibited upload.
4. A valid request.
5. A valid request with the redirect enabled.
6. A second click while the loading indicator is active.

Verify messages remain readable, keyboard focus reaches the relevant state, and a redirect works while signed out. For field-level rules, see Required fields and validation.