=== HelpGent - Video Funnels and Conversational Forms for WordPress ===
Contributors: wpwax
Tags: form builder, conversational forms, multi-step form, video messaging, feedback form
Requires at least: 6.0
Tested up to: 7.0
Requires PHP: 7.4
Stable tag: 3.0.2
License: GPLv3 or later
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.html

Conversational form builder with async Video Funnels for WordPress. Visitors send video, voice, and screen recordings. Your team replies when ready.

== Description ==

**[Plugin Demo](https://demo.wpwax.com/helpgent/) | [Pro Version](https://wpwax.com/helpgent/?utm_source=wporg&utm_medium=readme&utm_campaign=description) | [Support](https://wpwax.com/contact/) | [Documentation](https://wpwax.com/docs/helpgent/)**

HelpGent is a conversational form builder for WordPress that replaces static contact forms with Video Funnels — guided, multi-step experiences where visitors explain their needs through video, voice, text, or screen recording. Your team reads and replies when ready, without anyone needing to be online at the same time. Every conversation stays inside WordPress. No per-seat pricing. No third-party dashboard. No missed leads because nobody was available to chat.

Static forms collect a name, an email, and a short message. What they miss is context — how serious the person is, what they are actually struggling with, whether they are a good fit, and what they need next. HelpGent fills that gap by turning every form into a two-way conversation that feels personal even when it is asynchronous. Your contact form should start a conversation, not end one.


== What Are Video Funnels and Why Do They Beat Static Forms? ==

A Video Funnel is a multi-step conversational form that guides visitors through questions one at a time and collects rich responses — video, voice, text, or screen recordings — instead of a wall of text fields.

Traditional forms create a one-way exchange. A visitor fills them out, hits submit, and disappears. The business receives a few text fields but often misses the real story: what the person actually means, how urgent their problem is, whether they are a qualified lead, or what context would help the team respond properly.

A conversational form builder like HelpGent changes this entirely. Visitors move through the form at their own pace, answering questions in the format that feels most natural to them. Someone describing a bug? They can record their screen. A prospect explaining their project? They can send a short video. A customer asking about a product? They can send a voice note instead of typing a paragraph.

The result is that businesses receive responses with real context — not just data points — and can reply with confidence the first time.


== Async Video Messaging — No One Needs to Be Online at the Same Time ==

Live chat solves one problem — real-time communication — but creates another: someone has to be online whenever a visitor has a question.

HelpGent works differently. Visitors can send a video message, voice recording, text reply, or screen recording at any hour. Your team reviews those messages when ready and replies with the same range of options: video, voice, or text. Nobody needs to coordinate schedules. No missed conversations because the team was occupied elsewhere.

This async video messaging model is especially valuable for small teams. A solo consultant does not need to monitor a chat widget all day. A support team covering multiple time zones does not need live coverage around the clock. A coach building a high-ticket offer can review video applications without scheduling dozens of screening calls.

Every video message, voice recording, and screen recording lives inside your WordPress inbox. No external SaaS dashboard. No data leaving your server unless you choose to connect cloud storage like Google Drive or Bunny Storage. You stay in control of the data, the experience, and the pricing.


== Multi-Step Conversational Forms That Guide Visitors Step by Step ==

HelpGent's conversational form builder presents questions one at a time, the way a real conversation flows.

Traditional single-page forms overwhelm visitors with every field at once. Completion rates drop. People skim, fill in the minimum, and move on. Multi-step conversational forms work differently: visitors see one question, answer it, and move to the next. The format feels familiar — it mirrors how a good intake interview, consultation, or application actually works.

With HelpGent you can build multi-step forms for lead capture, client onboarding, job applications, product feedback, testimonial collection, support intake, and discovery call pre-qualification. Each step in the form can accept any combination of video, voice, text, or screen recording. Conditional logic lets the form branch based on previous answers, showing relevant follow-up questions to different visitors while skipping irrelevant ones.

Conversational forms can appear as a full-page experience or as a form bubble — a floating widget that sits on any page and opens into the form when clicked. You can customize the bubble icon, color, introductory text, and layout to match your brand without touching code.


== Voice Recording and Screen Recording Inside Every Form ==

Two features set HelpGent apart from every other conversational form builder for WordPress: native voice recording and screen recording, available directly inside the form — no software installation required.

Voice recording lets visitors send an audio message the way they would leave a voicemail. This is faster than typing for most people, more expressive than text, and especially useful for collecting nuanced feedback or detailed support requests. Recipients can play back voice messages directly inside the WordPress inbox and reply with their own voice recording, video, or text.

Screen recording allows a visitor to capture what is happening on their screen while narrating with their voice. For support teams, this is transformative. Instead of asking a user to describe a bug through a paragraph of text, they can show it in thirty seconds. Developers see the exact steps, error messages, and browser behavior — without a single back-and-forth follow-up question.

Both work entirely in the browser — no software installation needed. Recordings are stored on your WordPress server and available immediately in your HelpGent inbox. Pro users can connect Google Drive or Bunny Drive to offload media files automatically.


== Ten Ways to Use HelpGent on Your WordPress Site ==

HelpGent's conversational form builder fits into almost any workflow that currently relies on a static contact form, a live chat widget, or a video call.

**Lead capture for service businesses.** Agencies, consultants, coaches, and freelancers can replace the standard contact form with a Video Funnel that asks the right questions upfront — budget, timeline, and project type — and lets prospects explain their needs by video. The team receives qualified leads with full context, not just a name and an email address.

**WooCommerce product questions.** Stores selling fashion, electronics, or custom products can add a Video Funnel to product pages. Customers unsure about size, fit, or bulk pricing send a quick video or voice question and get a personal reply — reducing abandoned carts caused by unanswered pre-purchase questions.

**Support intake.** WordPress plugin companies, agencies, and SaaS teams can collect better support tickets from the start. Instead of "it is not working," users can record their screen and explain the exact issue. Support teams spend less time asking follow-up questions and more time solving problems.

**Client onboarding.** Design agencies, marketing teams, and developers can build guided onboarding Video Funnels where clients answer step by step — explaining their business, goals, brand preferences, and deliverables through video, voice, or text. Every project starts with better context and fewer introductory calls.

**Discovery call replacement.** Coaches and consultants can qualify prospects before booking a call. A short Video Funnel filters poor-fit leads and ensures serious prospects arrive already understood.

**Testimonial collection.** Happy customers record a video or voice testimonial guided by simple prompts — richer, more persuasive social proof than a typed sentence, with none of the awkwardness of asking for it.

**Hiring and candidate screening.** Teams collect short video introductions, skills assessments, and work samples from applicants before scheduling interviews. Resumes do not show communication skills or personality. A short video does.

**Product feedback and user research.** Product teams can ask users to explain friction through video or screen recording instead of a multiple-choice survey. Seeing the actual experience leads to better product decisions faster.

**Course and coaching applications.** Course creators and mentors can assess motivation and commitment before accepting an applicant. Video answers reveal far more than a typed application.

**Bug reporting and website feedback.** Developers and WordPress agencies can add a HelpGent feedback form to client sites. Users record their screen and explain the issue directly — developers reproduce problems immediately, without back-and-forth.


== Free Features ==

HelpGent's conversational form builder is fully usable without paying anything. The free version includes:

**Unlimited forms and unlimited responses.** HelpGent places no limit on how many forms you create or how many submissions you receive — even in the free version.

**Video recording.** Visitors can record and send short video messages directly inside the form.

**Voice recording.** Audio messages work the same way — no external service or plugin required.

**Text messaging.** Two-way text conversation inside the same inbox thread.

**Video upload.** Visitors can upload pre-recorded video files in addition to recording live inside the form.

**Guest user access.** Any visitor can submit a form and continue the conversation without a WordPress account. A secure token is sent to their email after the first submission.

**Frontend dashboard.** Both you and your visitors can manage conversations from a frontend dashboard — no WordPress admin access required for visitors.

**Advanced conditional logic.** Show or hide steps based on previous answers, routing visitors through different paths in the same multi-step form.

**20+ form elements.** short text, long text, date picker, time picker, file upload, user validation, GDPR consent, Google Maps, Google reCAPTCHA, and more — all available in the free version of the conversational form builder.

**Quiz builder.** Create interactive quizzes inside your conversational forms — scored questions, configurable answer options, and results collected in WordPress. Free for all users.

**Starter templates.** Free pre-made conversational form templates — lead capture, contact, feedback, survey, and more — so you can launch without building from scratch.

**Form bubble.** Display your conversational form as a floating widget on any page. Customize the bubble icon, text, and color to match your brand.


== Pro Features — Video Funnels Without Limits ==

HelpGent Pro removes the caps on media and unlocks the most powerful parts of the conversational form builder.

**Screen recording.** Visitors can capture their screen, narrate the recording with their voice, and submit it as an open-ended reply inside the form — the most powerful tool available for support intake, bug reporting, and client onboarding.

**Unlimited video and voice recording.** The free version caps video recording at two minutes. Pro removes all time limits on both video and voice recording.

**Higher video resolution.** Pro supports maximum quality recording beyond the free version's default.

**Unlimited file upload size.** Visitors can upload files of any size without hitting a storage cap.

**Pro form fields.** Five additional elements are available exclusively in Pro: Multi Select (let visitors choose multiple answers from a list), Picture Select (visual option picker with images), Range Slider (numeric range input), Rating (star or icon-based rating), and Promoter Score / NPS (Net Promoter Score question for measuring loyalty and satisfaction).

**Cloud storage integration.** Connect Google Drive or Bunny Drive / CDN to offload media files automatically. Pro includes cloud transfer queues, migration support, render and delete management, and Bunny credential validation — giving you full control over how media is stored and served without manually moving files.

**Lead management.** Pro adds a dedicated lead tab to the admin inbox, the ability to filter leads by specific forms, and lead export — making it easy to act on conversational form submissions as part of a sales or CRM workflow.

**White label and branding removal.** Remove HelpGent branding from forms and emails and replace it with your own, making the experience fully native to your brand or your client's site.

**Quiz timer and grade system.** The free quiz builder lets you create scored quizzes, but Pro adds a configurable time limit for quiz completion and an automatic grade system that evaluates responses — essential for online assessments, hiring screenings, and course enrollment tests.

**Save incomplete data.** Capture and access partial responses even from forms that were abandoned midway, so no visitor insight goes unrecorded.

**Expanded template library.** Pro unlocks additional Video Funnel templates for onboarding, support intake, testimonial collection, and more — on top of the free starter templates.

**Conditional end screens.** Route visitors to different thank-you screens based on their form answers.

**Email template branding.** Customize the visual style and branding of outgoing email notifications to match your identity, beyond the default template.

**Directorist integration.** HelpGent connects to Directorist, the WordPress business directory plugin, adding video messaging and conversational forms to listing pages. [Learn more about HelpGent Pro →](https://wpwax.com/helpgent/?utm_source=wporg&utm_medium=readme&utm_campaign=pro-features)


== Build Interactive Quizzes Inside WordPress ==

HelpGent includes a built-in quiz builder — free for everyone — that lets you create interactive, scored quizzes inside your conversational multi-step forms without a separate plugin.

Add question screens, configure answer options, and assign point values. Visitors move through questions one at a time in the same conversational flow, and you can mix quiz questions with video responses or file uploads for richer results.

HelpGent Pro extends the quiz builder with a **quiz timer** (set a time limit on the assessment) and a **grade system** (automatic scoring on submission) — essential for formal assessments, hiring screenings, and course enrollment tests where accountability matters.

Common use cases: knowledge checks for course creators, pre-enrollment tests for coaching programs, scored competency screening for hiring, product recommendation quizzes, and lead qualification quizzes that segment contacts by score. All results are stored in your own WordPress database.

HelpGent is the only conversational form builder for WordPress that combines multi-step forms, async video messaging, voice recording, screen recording, and a scored quiz builder in a single plugin.


== Screenshots ==

1. Conversational form builder drag-and-drop editor with 20+ elements and multi-step layout
2. All forms table with sorting, import and add new form action
3. Global settings with general and integration options
4. Contacts table with all the available leads information (Pro)
5. Tags table view with creation action and sorting
6. All 20+ available elements helps to create versatile forms
7. Dedicated per form theme editor option with multiple themes support
8. Advanced Logic builder to make multi-step form more interactive
9. Form Settings - contains general and email notification options
10. Form Share includes dedicated share link and shortcode option
11. Form bubble setting contains all the options related to chat bubble.


== Installation ==

1. Download the plugin zip file and upload it to `wp-content/plugins/`, or install directly from Plugins → Add New → Search for "HelpGent".
2. Activate the plugin from the Plugins page.
3. Go to HelpGent → Forms and create your first conversational form using the drag-and-drop builder.
4. Add a form step, select an element type (video recording, voice recording, text, multiple choice, etc.), and configure the layout.
5. Publish the form and add the shortcode to any page or post.

Full documentation is available at [wpwax.com/docs/helpgent/](https://wpwax.com/docs/helpgent/?utm_source=wporg&utm_medium=readme&utm_campaign=installation).


== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= What is a conversational form builder and how is it different from a regular contact form? =

A conversational form builder presents questions one at a time, the way a real conversation flows, instead of showing all fields on a single page. HelpGent goes further by accepting video, voice, text, and screen recordings as answers — so visitors can explain their needs in the format that feels most natural, not just by typing into a text box. The result is better data for your team and a more personal experience for your visitors.

= How does HelpGent's async video messaging work? =

When a visitor submits a conversational form with a video message or voice recording, the file is stored securely on your WordPress server. Your team is notified by email, opens the HelpGent inbox, watches or listens to the message, and replies with their own video, voice recording, or text — whenever they are ready. Nobody has to be online at the same time. The entire video messaging conversation lives inside WordPress.

= Can visitors send video or voice messages without creating an account? =

Yes. Any visitor, including unregistered guest users, can submit a conversational form and send video messages, voice recordings, text, or screen recordings without creating a WordPress account. After their first submission, a secure guest token is sent to their email address so they can access the conversation and send follow-up messages at any time.

= Does HelpGent support voice recording and screen recording inside the form? =

Voice recording is available in both the free and pro versions. Visitors record an audio message directly in the browser — no app or software required. Screen recording with voice narration is a Pro feature. Visitors can capture their screen, explain what they are seeing, and submit the recording as part of their conversational form response.

= Can I use HelpGent as a contact form, feedback form, or survey? =

Yes. HelpGent's conversational form builder works as a contact form, feedback form, lead capture form, survey, onboarding form, job application, testimonial collector, and more. The free version includes 22+ form elements covering the most common field types, plus conditional logic to create branching multi-step forms tailored to each use case.

= How do I build a multi-step form with HelpGent? =

Open HelpGent → Forms, create a new form, and add screens using the drag-and-drop editor. Each screen is a step in the conversational form. Add elements to each screen — such as a video recording prompt, a multiple-choice question, or a text field — then set the order and any conditional logic rules that branch visitors to different screens based on their answers. Publish the form and add the shortcode to any page or post.

= Can I build scored quizzes and online assessments with HelpGent? =

Yes. The quiz builder is available in the free version — you can create multi-step quizzes, assign point values to answers, and collect scored results inside WordPress. HelpGent Pro adds a quiz timer (set a time limit on the assessment) and a grade system (automatic scoring and evaluation on submission), making it suitable for formal knowledge tests, hiring screenings, course enrollment assessments, and product recommendation quizzes that need accountability and structured grading.

= Where is the video and voice recording data stored? =

All video messages, voice recordings, screen recordings, and form responses are stored securely on your WordPress server by default. No data is sent to third-party servers. Pro users can optionally connect Google Drive or Bunny Storage to offload media files automatically. You remain in full control of your data at all times.

= What is the difference between the free and pro versions? =

The free conversational form builder includes unlimited forms, unlimited responses, video recording (up to two minutes), voice recording, text messaging, video upload, guest user access, 22+ form elements, conditional logic, a frontend dashboard, and a set of starter templates. HelpGent Pro adds screen recording, unlimited video and voice recording length, higher video resolution, unlimited file upload size, five additional Pro form fields (Multi Select, Picture Select, Range Slider, Rating, Promoter Score/NPS), cloud storage integration with Google Drive and Bunny Drive/CDN, lead management with export, white label branding, a quiz builder with timer and grade system, save incomplete data, Pro-only templates, conditional end screens, and email template branding. [View full Pro details →](https://wpwax.com/helpgent/?utm_source=wporg&utm_medium=readme&utm_campaign=faq-pro)

= How do I get email notifications when someone submits a conversational form? =

Email notifications for new conversational form submissions are available in HelpGent Pro. Once enabled in the plugin settings, the admin and any specified email addresses receive a notification each time a visitor submits a form or sends a new video message in an existing thread.


== Changelog ==
= 3.0.2 - 14 June 2026 =
* Fix: Minor style issue.
* Fix: 'Directorist HelpGent Integration' extension compatibility issue.

= 3.0.1 - 09 June 2026 =
* Fix: Builder action dropdown and other style issue.

= 3.0.0 - 08 June 2026 =
* New: Revamped the form builder and frontend form experience with a cleaner, more modern interface.
* New: Added cleaner public form sharing with shareable form URLs and improved share controls.
* New: Added form import and export tools for moving forms between sites.
* New: Added response entry export for downloading submitted entries.
* New: Added a visual logic canvas for building and managing conditional form flows.
* New: Added custom theming support for more flexible form styling.
* New: Introduced a unified HelpGent user system for guests and registered users, with improved login and session handling.
* New: Added a dedicated chat and conversation foundation with chat messages, members, unread counts, reviews, and stronger attachment access rules.
* New: Expanded quiz support with scoring, timers, grading, feedback, and manual review workflows.
* New: Added backend support for star rating, and promoter score field types.
* Improved: Updated contacts, exports, admin routes, form access locking, site verification, and older guest-data migration.
* Improved: Modernized the build, release, code quality, and plugin validation tooling.
* Developer note: Version 3.0.0 includes major identity, REST route, hook, and database changes. Custom integrations should be reviewed before upgrading.

= 2.2.4 - 28 July 2024 =
* Fixed: Resolved an issue with the date filter in the admin forms table.

= 2.2.3 - 27 June 2024 =
* Fixed: The issue with updating placeholders in open-ended text fields.

= 2.2.2 - 09 May 2024 =
* Fixed: Admin settings nested tab active issue.
* Fixed: Open-ended does not going to next while file upload is active.
* Fixed: Contact info element data storing issue.
* Fixed: Can't submit Yes/No element 'No' value when incomplete submission is not enabled.

= 2.2.1 - 29 April 2024 =
* Fixed: Can't submit Open-Ended text elements when the file field is not active.
* Fixed: Can't submit Open-Ended text elements data when incomplete submission is not enabled.
* Fixed: Email notification issue in new response.

= 2.2.0 - 17 April 2024 =
* New: User profile feature.
* New: Google map element integration.
* New: Auto-save functionality for form builder settings.
* New: Background focal point adjustment for element image.
* New: Added advanced logic capabilities in the time picker element.
* Improved: Enhanced layout of the form builder.
* Improved: Included color control options in the form builder design tab.
* Improved: Added toggle for enabling/disabling progress count.
* Improved: Replaced the submit button with a continue button in the statement element.

= 2.1.0 - 19 March 2024 =
* New: Time picker element.
* New: Google Recaptcha element.
* New: Added media migration table in the admin dashboard.
* Improved: Added attachment chunk upload support to upload large files.
* Improved: Stopped scripts enqueue if the form does not exist in the frontend.

= 2.0.5 - 20 February 2024 =
* New: GDRP element.
* New: Statement element.
* New: Acceptance checkbox in user validation element.
* New: Form duplicate feature.
* Improved: Added form filter and Improved the form table design.
* Improved: Sending emails using background process to lessen response submission time.
* Improved: Added form bubble compatibility with server cache.

= 2.0.4 - 08 February 2024 =
* New: Added font family control in the form builder.
* New: Added element new layout(no media).
* New: Added next/previous nav bar.
* New: Background image/color Support.
* New: Added video recording support for all element layout media.
* Fixed: Elements list search issue.
* Fixed: Attachments filename duplicate issue.
* Fixed: Response refresh issue.
* Fixed: Same type elements data conflict issue.
* Fixed: Summary individual element active conflict issue.
* Fixed: The form shortcode is not working in the elementor builder issue.
* Fixed: Prevent lead data deletion upon form deletion.
* Fixed: Stop calling unknown APIs in the user dashboard.
* Improved: Form submission SQL queries have been optimized.
* Improved: Copy the shortcode to the clipboard by on click.
* Improved: Skipped screen recording countdown by clicking anywhere.
* Improved: Moved individual screen style to global style.
* Improved: Added file drag and drop upload support.
* Improved: All JS text string is made translatable.
* Improved: Responsiveness.

= 2.0.3 - 21 December 2023 =
* Improved: Refinements to visual style for a more polished appearance.

= 2.0.2 - 19 December 2023 =
* New: Showing the guest user list on the contact page.
* New: Delete unverified responses if not verified within 48 hours.
* Improved: Screens list scrolls down on adding element.
* Improved: Added unverified badge in response.
* Improved: Added a pre-loader in the premade template thumbnail.
* Improved: Closed elements list popup after adding an element.
* Improved: Added a preloader in form bubble.
* Improved: User validation element email input validation.
* Improved: Same element multi-time submission API requesting issue.
* Fixed: Nginx server file protected rewrite rule.
* Fixed: Sending admin form response URL in admin mails.
* Fixed: Open Ended video preview issue (Mozilla Firefox).

= 2.0.1 - 24 November 2023 =
* New: Added 2 new premade templates.

= 2.0.0 - 17 November 2023 =
* New: Conversational/Multi-step form builder.
* New: Form bubble customizer.
* New: Pre made form templates.
* New: 4 Different element layouts.
* New: Anonymous submission feature.
* New: view form summery.
* New: 20+ custom elements.

= 1.3.6 - 13 November 2023 =
* Improved: Update notice.

= 1.3.3 - 20 July 2023 =
* Optimized: Reducing plugin size.

= 1.3.2 - 19 July 2023 =
* Optimized: Reducing plugin size.

= 1.3.0 - 16 July 2023 =
* Tweak: Excluded countdown time from screen recording time.
* Extend: Contact form fields (Website, Phone, Price, Requirements, File Upload).
* New: Terms and Conditions checkbox.
* Fixed: Edit form next buttons, color changing, audio reply issue.
* Fixed:  Chat head intro video time length issue.
* Fixed: ChatBox ShortCode not working.
* Fixed: Email issue.
* Fixed: Video recording issue in iPhone.
* Fixed: Form author is missing in conversations.
* Optimized: File Size.
* Improved: Settings Panel.

= 1.2.0 - 22 May 2023 =
* New: Custom fields in text module.
* New: Lazy loading and optimization.

= 1.1.4 - 28 April 2023 =
* Remove the external updater.

= 1.1.3 - 6 April 2023 =
* Readme and composer file updated.

= 1.1.1 - 4 April 2023 =
* New: Message Edit, Delete, Reply, Forward.
* New: React routing.
* New: Added action and filter hooks.
* New: Form author ownership.
* Fixed: Icon and range issue in audio message.
* Fixed: Form creation issue with email start with S.
* Fixed: Conversation sort by read/unread.

= 1.0.3 - 9 January 2023 =
* Update: Banner and Logo.

= 1.0.2 - 12 December 2022 =
* Improved: Attachments download URL.
* Improved: Video and voice recorder (Pausing System, Some UI changes, Back Button).
* Improved: Messenger sidebar user avatar list.
* Improved: Tag assigning & un-assigning process.
* Fixed: Initial settings data not saving.

= 1.0.1 - 30 November 2022 =
* Improved: Theme compatibility.
* Improved: Messenger app greetings text.
* Improved: Settings panel labeling.
* Fixed: Screen Recording Native Stop Button Does Not Work properly.
* Fixed: Messenger App Local Timezone format.
* Fixed: Archived conversation refreshing.
* Fixed: Video not starting after granting permission.

= 1.0.0 - 26 November 2022 =
* Initial launch
