diff --git a/public/index.html b/public/index.html
index 67f2353..22c0575 100644
--- a/public/index.html
+++ b/public/index.html
@@ -57,13 +57,14 @@
         <div class="container">
             <h2>Get Started</h2>
             <p>Ready to take the next step in your IT career? Apply today!</p>
-            <form id="applicationForm" method="post" action="https://mailer.melonion.me/subscription/form">
+            <form id="applicationForm">
                 <input type="hidden" name="list_id" value="3">
                 <input type="text" name="name" placeholder="Your Name" required>
                 <input type="email" name="email" placeholder="Your Email" required>
                 <textarea name="message" placeholder="Why are you interested in this program?" required></textarea>
                 <button type="submit" class="cta-button">Submit Application</button>
             </form>
+            <div id="responseMessage"></div>
         </div>
         
     </section>
diff --git a/public/index.js b/public/index.js
index 444aaa9..a66c08d 100644
--- a/public/index.js
+++ b/public/index.js
@@ -5,6 +5,11 @@ document.getElementById('applicationForm').addEventListener('submit', function(e
     const formData = new FormData(this);
     const data = Object.fromEntries(formData.entries());
 
+    // Clear previous messages
+    const responseMessage = document.getElementById('responseMessage');
+    responseMessage.textContent = '';
+    responseMessage.className = '';
+
     // Send form data to server-side endpoint
     fetch('/submit', {
         method: 'POST',
@@ -13,12 +18,23 @@ document.getElementById('applicationForm').addEventListener('submit', function(e
         },
         body: JSON.stringify(data),
     })
-    .then(response => response.json())
+    .then(response => {
+        if (!response.ok) {
+            // If the response status is not OK, throw an error
+            return response.json().then(err => {
+                throw new Error(err.message || 'An error occurred');
+            });
+        }
+        return response.json();
+    })
     .then(result => {
         console.log('Success:', result);
-        document.body.innerHTML = '<h2>Thank you for your application!</h2>';
+        responseMessage.textContent = 'Thank you for your application!';
+        responseMessage.className = 'success';
     })
     .catch(error => {
         console.error('Error:', error);
+        responseMessage.textContent = `Error: ${error.message}`;
+        responseMessage.className = 'error';
     });
 });
diff --git a/public/styles.css b/public/styles.css
index 317e2d0..fb2e785 100644
--- a/public/styles.css
+++ b/public/styles.css
@@ -149,4 +149,19 @@ footer {
 
 footer p {
     font-size: 0.9rem;
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
+
+/*response messages*/
+
+#responseMessage {
+    margin-top: 1em;
+    font-weight: bold;
+}
+
+#responseMessage.success {
+    color: green;
+}
+
+#responseMessage.error {
+    color: red;
+}