If you run a business, you know how important it is for potential customers to be able to contact you with ease. The once-popular method of simply posting your email address link has taken a step back as contact forms have become the more popular and reliable way to connect businesses with their customers. The benefits of a website contact form include protection from inbox spam, increased professionalism, ability to keep track of messages, ability to get all of the information you need with minimal back and forth contact, a boosted emailing list and an overall easier experience for your customers.
Methods for adding a contact form for your website
There are a few different ways to add a contact form to your website. The best method for you will depend on your coding experience and/or the budget you have established for website development.
- Install a WordPress plugin. This is one of the most common and easiest ways to integrate a contact form onto your site. It doesn’t require any knowledge or experience with coding so anyone can do it. There are several free and paid WordPress contact form plugins you can choose from. Then install the form and format it so it appears the way you want.
- Embed a Google Form. This is part of your GSuite Apps, just like Docs or Sheets. Google forms also allow you to create customizations and put them anywhere on your website you prefer.
- Create a customized HTML form. This method involves generating codes to create a customized contact form in which you have complete ownership. It is embedded directly into your website’s html and becomes part of your site. Some more technical knowledge is required to create a form this way, but you can nearly limitless customization options.
Contact Form Best Practices
As you can see, you have lots of options when creating a contact form. Take the time to think about the information that will be most valuable to your business when visitors use the form. These best practices will help you create a contact form that is easy to use, for both you and your website visitors, and creates more conversions and qualified leads.
- Include all relevant fields. If you need to know what kind of project they are interested in so the right department or employee answers their questions, include that on the contact form. Include the method of contact you prefer (call, text, email). It may be helpful to you to know how soon they want to start the project or where they live so you can ensure you provide services in their area.
- Don’t ask for more information than you need. The shorter your contact form, the more likely website visitors will be to complete it. You probably don’t need more than one contact method or to know the best time to call. Show you value your customer’s time by only asking for the information you really need.
- Make it clear what you are asking for. If, when a visitor clicks submit, the form is rejected because of a blank field or incorrect formatting, they are unlikely to try again. Ask for email address or phone number rather than a vague contact. Give them a drop down option for the type of projects rather than a blank space.
- Be open to changes. Contact forms, like everything else on your website, are not one-and-done. If you notice there is confusion about your form or that people simply aren’t using it, think about what you can do to make it better. Trying new ideas on your website is a great way to get comfortable with the features and to better understand how visitors experience your website.
Where to put a contact form for website visitors
The goal of a contact form is to provide a quick and easy way for website visitors to get in touch with you. If visitors have to dig through pages or your site to find the form, they will give up and go with another company. Make your contact form easy to find by putting it in high-traffic positions.
- Side bar- If your contact form is in your side bar, it moves with the customer. It will be accessible on any page because it is part of the structure of your website.
- About page- Visitors go to your About Page when they are ready for more information. This is a great place to capture a lead that is ready to take the next step.
- Footer- A short contact form can be installed in the footer section of your website. That way it will be at the bottom of every single page and give all visitors the chance to get in touch.
- Pop-up form- With a little technical know-how, you can trigger a pop-up form to appear after a customer spends so long on your site, when they visit a certain page or if they attempt to leave the page.
A contact form is a fantastic way to automate the communication with your customers. Running a business is hard work and you won’t be able to respond to everyone at once. Most contact form systems allow you to setup custom email notifications and auto responses to make your life a little easier. It is a win-win situation that will make both you and customer happier and lead to more qualified leads from website traffic. Learn more about using your website to grow you business with our guide on website traffic.
