FormDesigner and Google Sheets: create a free customer database without a programmer

Many entrepreneurs think, "To manage a customer database, you need a CRM. But CRMs are expensive, complicated, and require setup." But what if I told you: you already have your first CRM? It's free, familiar to everyone, and it's stored in your Google account. It's Google Sheets.

With FormDesigner, you can transform a standard website form into an automated lead capture system that instantly adds every client to your spreadsheet—without a single line of code, an IT specialist, or a monthly subscription.

This article provides step-by-step instructions on how to create a working, self-growing customer database in 20 minutes.

Why Google Sheets is a great replacement for an expensive CRM (at launch)

Yes, Kommo, Bitrix24 and HubSpot are powerful. But they're overkill for beginners. Google Sheets, on the other hand, is ideal:

• ✅ Free – even for a team of 10 people.
• ✅ Universal - easily add columns "Source", "Status", "Manager's comment".
• ✅ Real-time access – the entire team can see new requests.
• ✅ Reliable – data is stored in the cloud, and version history is saved automatically.

This isn't a "cheat." It's a flexible, scalable solution for those who want to get started—and not waste their budget.

How the link works: from a form to a table row

Everything happens automatically:

1. A visitor fills out a form on your website—whether it's a simple application, a quiz like "Which plan is right for you?", or an online repair cost calculator .
2. Data is sent via FormDesigner .
3. FormDesigner instantly adds a new row to your Google Sheet .
4. You open the table and see a fresh lead with all the details.

No spam emails. No lost applications. Just structured data—ready to use.

Step 1: Create a Google Sheet for Clients

1. Go to Google Sheets.
2. Click "Blank Table".
3. Name the file: for example, “Lead Database - Cleaning 24” .
4. In the first row, create column headings:

💡 Tip : Add a "Comment" column so the manager can write down what they discussed with the client.

Freeze the first row: View → Freeze → 1 row - this way the header will always be visible.

Step 2: Prepare the table for integration

FormDesigner must have access to your table:

1. In order for us to be able to get a list of column names, they must be written in the first row of the desired sheet of your table.
2. You must be the owner of the Google account.

⚠️ Important : Your data is never shared with third parties . FormDesigner only writes information to the table you specify.

Copy the table URL from the address bar between "/d/" and "/edit": you will need it in the next step:

Step 3: Create a form in FormDesigner

Now let's create a data source - a form that will "feed" your table.

Works well:

• Simple form: "Name + Phone".
• Quiz : "What type of cleaning do you need?" → service selection + contact information.
• Form + calculator : “Calculate the cost of repairs” → total amount + “Submit request” button.

How to create:

1. Go to FormDesigner .
2. Choose a template or create a form from scratch.
3. Add fields: name, phone number, email, service, etc.
4. The field names do not necessarily have to match the column headings in the table; you can choose the correspondences that are more convenient for you for integration.

Step 4: Connect Google Sheets to FormDesigner

Now comes the easy part:

1. In the form editor, open Integrations tab.
2. Select Google Sheets and click the Add button. .
3. In the main settings, in the Google Sheet ID field, paste the table ID and click the "Access table" button.
4. Log in to your Google account and grant permission to the FormDesigner app:
5. Select a sheet (usually "Sheet1").
6. Match the form fields with the table columns (Google on the left - form fields on the right).
7. Click "Save" → Fill out the form and "Submit a test application" .

If a new row appears in the table, congratulations! Your free CRM is working .

💡 Feature : FormDesigner can automatically insert the submission date and time (and more) , even if they are not in the form - just add the corresponding column to the table and select the system fields in the integration on the right.

What can be done with such a “base” next?

Now your table is a living tool:

• 🔍 Filter by source: find out where your hottest leads are coming from.
• 🎨 Color markers : highlight "In progress" in yellow and "Deal closed" in green.
• 📊 Pivot tables : calculate conversion rates by traffic channels.
• 📤 Export : Save data to Excel or CSV for reporting.
• 🔔 Notifications : Connect the same form to Telegram via @FormDesignerBot and receive notifications about new clients in the messenger.

Advantages over a "regular email form"

You're not just collecting contacts - you're building a system .

Safety and Best Practices

• 🔒 Once connected, restrict access to the table: leave editing only for your team.
• ❌ Don't store sensitive data
• 🔄 Google automatically saves your edit history—but make a backup copy once a month (File → Download → Microsoft Excel).
• 🛡️ Enable spam protection (captcha) in FormDesigner to prevent bots from clogging up your database.

Conclusion: Your first CRM is already working

You've just created a fully functional customer tracking system —free, without a developer, and in 20 minutes. This isn't a temporary solution. It's a smart start that's scalable: as your business grows, you can easily transfer data from Google Sheets to any CRM.

In the meantime, you don't miss a single lead , see the entire funnel, and make data-driven decisions.

👉 Try it for free :
Create your first form, quiz , or online calculator in FormDesigner, connect to Google Sheets, and get a structured customer database today.

Bonus: 5 Steps to a Free Lead Database Checklist

• ✅ Create a Google Sheet with Columns
• ✅ Grant access to FormDesigner
• ✅ Create a form in FormDesigner
• ✅ Enable Google Sheets integration
• ✅ Submit a test application and check the result