Client Intake Form Templates for Freelancers: Complete Guide

Introduction

Every freelancer needs a client intake form. Whether you're a consultant, designer, developer, or coach, collecting client information upfront saves time and ensures you have everything you need to start a project.

But creating a client intake form from scratch can be time-consuming. That's why Forma offers ready-to-use client intake form templates for freelancers that you can customize in minutes.

In this guide, you'll learn what makes a great client intake form, what questions to include, and how to use Forma's templates to get started instantly.

What is a Client Intake Form?

A client intake form is a structured way to collect essential information from new clients before starting a project. Instead of asking questions via email or phone, clients fill out a form that captures:

• Contact information
• Project details and scope
• Budget and timeline
• Goals and expectations
• Any other relevant information

This information helps you understand the project, set expectations, and start work efficiently.

Why Use Client Intake Form Templates?

Templates save time and ensure you don't miss important questions:

• Pre-built questions: Templates include the most common intake questions
• Professional structure: Templates are organized logically
• Customizable: Add, remove, or modify questions to fit your needs
• Fast setup: Get started in minutes instead of hours
• Best practices: Templates follow proven intake form patterns

Essential Questions for Client Intake Forms

While every freelancer's needs differ, here are essential questions most intake forms should include:

Contact Information

• Full name
• Email address
• Phone number (optional)
• Company/organization name

Project Details

• What type of project is this?
• What are your main goals?
• What is your project timeline?
• What is your budget range?

Background Information

• Tell us about your business/organization
• What challenges are you facing?
• What have you tried before?

Expectations

• What does success look like for this project?
• What are your must-haves vs. nice-to-haves?
• How will you measure results?

Forma's Client Intake Form Template

Forma's client intake form template includes:

• 5 essential questions: Covering contact info, project details, budget, and needs
• Smart field types: Text inputs, dropdowns, and text areas where appropriate
• Required fields: Marked to ensure you get essential information
• Professional design: Clean, modern styling that looks trustworthy
• Mobile-friendly: Works perfectly on all devices

You can use the template as-is or customize it to match your specific needs.

How to Use Forma's Client Intake Form Template

Getting started is simple:

1. Sign up free: Create a Forma account—no credit card required
2. Create new form: Click "Create Form" in your dashboard
3. Choose template: Select "Client Intake Form" from the template options
4. Customize: Add, remove, or modify questions to fit your needs
5. Get your link: Forma generates a shareable link instantly
6. Share with clients: Send the link when onboarding new clients
7. See responses instantly: Responses appear in your dashboard immediately

The entire process takes just a few minutes.

Customizing Your Intake Form

While templates are great starting points, you'll want to customize them for your specific needs:

• Add industry-specific questions: Include questions relevant to your field
• Adjust required fields: Mark fields as required or optional based on your needs
• Match your branding: Customize colors and styling to match your brand
• Add conditional logic: Show/hide questions based on previous answers

Best Practices for Client Intake Forms

To get the best results from your intake forms:

• Keep it focused: Only ask for essential information upfront
• Make it clear: Use simple language and clear questions
• Set expectations: Tell clients how long it will take to complete
• Follow up quickly: Acknowledge receipt of the form immediately
• Use the information: Reference the intake form when starting the project

Conclusion

Client intake forms save time and ensure you have all the information you need to start projects efficiently. With Forma's ready-to-use client intake form templates, you can get started in minutes instead of hours.

Ready to streamline your client onboarding? Sign up free with Forma and use the client intake form template to start collecting client information instantly. No credit card required, 5 forms forever.