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Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

This section addresses common questions about the Phone Consultation plugin, covering installation, configuration, troubleshooting, and best practices.

Installation & Setup

Q: What are the requirements for this plugin?

A: The plugin requires:

  • WordPress (any recent version)
  • Valid license key (except on localhost)
  • Admin access to configure settings

The plugin will work on localhost without a license for testing purposes.

Q: Where do I configure the plugin settings?
A: After activation, go to WordPress Admin → Consultation. You’ll see two main sections: Requests List (for managing submissions) and Settings (for configuration).
Q: Why isn’t the consultation button appearing on my website?
A: The most common reason is that no form fields are enabled. Go to Consultation → Settings and ensure at least one form field is marked as “Active”. Also verify that you have a valid license (except on localhost).

Functionality & Features

Q: Can I customize which form fields appear in the consultation popup?

A: Yes! You have full control over six form fields:

  • Full Name
  • Website Address
  • Email Address
  • Phone Number
  • Consultation Topic
  • Description

Each field can be enabled/disabled, made required/optional, and reordered to suit your needs.

Q: How do consultation requests get stored?
A: All consultation requests are stored in a custom database table (freepa_requests) with complete contact information, submission timestamps, and status tracking. You can view and manage all requests through the admin interface.
Q: Can I change the position of the floating consultation button?
A: Yes, you can position the button on either the left or right side of the screen. Go to Consultation → Settings → Popup Button Settings to change the position.
Q: Does the plugin support multiple languages?
A: The plugin is translation-ready and includes special support for RTL languages. All text can be customized through the settings panel.

Troubleshooting

Q: The consultation popup isn’t opening when I click the button. What should I check?

A: This is usually a JavaScript conflict. Check these items:

  • Open browser console (F12) and look for JavaScript errors
  • Temporarily deactivate other plugins to test for conflicts
  • Switch to a default WordPress theme temporarily
  • Clear any caching plugins
  • Verify the Magnific Popup library is loading properly
Q: Form submissions aren’t being saved. What could be wrong?

A: Check these potential issues:

  • Verify the database table was created during installation
  • Check for any server-side PHP errors in logs
  • Ensure AJAX requests are working (check browser network tab)
  • Verify WordPress AJAX functionality is working
  • Test with different form field combinations
Q: The button colors don’t match my website design. How can I fix this?

A: Go to Consultation → Settings and adjust these color settings:

  • Button Background Color (for the floating button)
  • Phone Icon Color (white or black options)
  • Popup Button And Column Background Color
  • Popup Button And Column Text Color

For advanced styling, you can also add custom CSS to your theme.

Management & Administration

Q: How do I manage and track consultation requests?

A: Go to Consultation → Requests List to view all submissions. You can:

  • View all contact information and consultation details
  • Update request status (Unknown, Successful Call, Unsuccessful Call, Incorrect Info)
  • Sort by submission date
  • Delete old or spam requests
  • Export data for CRM integration
Q: Can I integrate consultation data with my CRM system?

A: Yes, there are several integration options:

  • Direct database access to the freepa_requests table
  • Use the freepa_after_form_submission action hook for custom integrations
  • Export data manually for import into CRM systems
  • Custom development for automated data transfer
Q: How can I prevent spam consultation requests?

A: The plugin includes several anti-spam measures:

  • Hidden honeypot fields that trap automated bots
  • Form validation for email and phone number formats
  • AJAX-based submission that’s harder for bots to exploit
  • Server-side sanitization of all input data

You can also monitor the requests list for patterns and delete obvious spam.

Customization & Advanced Usage

Q: Can I add my company logo to the consultation popup?
A: Yes! Go to Consultation → Settings → Popup Settings and use the “Logo (First Column)” option to upload your company logo. The logo will appear prominently in the first column of the popup.
Q: Can I add custom content to the consultation popup?

A: Absolutely! The “Custom Text (First Column)” setting allows you to add rich text content including:

  • Company taglines or mission statements
  • Trust signals and certifications
  • Contact information
  • HTML formatting and links

You can use the full WordPress editor with formatting options.

Q: Are there any shortcodes available for page builders?
A: Currently, the plugin doesn’t provide shortcodes. It uses a global floating button approach that provides consistent access across all pages without requiring manual placement. This ensures visitors can always request consultations regardless of which page they’re viewing.
Q: Can I customize the text that appears in the popup and button?

A: Yes, you can customize several text elements:

  • Text Above the Button (tooltip text)
  • Title (Second Column) – main popup heading
  • Subtitle (Second Column) – supporting text
  • Custom content in the first column

All text can be customized to match your brand voice and language.

Performance & Optimization

Q: Does the plugin affect my website’s loading speed?

A: The plugin is designed for minimal performance impact:

  • Lightweight CSS and JavaScript files
  • Files only load on frontend pages (not admin)
  • AJAX form submission prevents page reloads
  • Efficient database queries and indexing

The performance impact is minimal and similar to other popup plugins.

Q: How often should I clean up old consultation requests?

A: This depends on your volume, but generally:

  • Keep completed requests for 3-6 months for reference
  • Delete obvious spam requests immediately
  • Archive requests older than 1 year unless needed for records
  • Export important data before bulk deletion

Regular cleanup helps maintain database performance.