You “To-NOT-Do” List for Your Website Contact Forms!
And what To-Do Instead!
Happy New Year my friends! With this new year comes so much!
☕ New goals and dreams
☕ New clients to connect with
☕ New opportunities to refine and streamline your business
As we step into a new year, there’s no better time to take a closer look at your processes and make them work smarter, not harder, for both you and your website visitors. And today, I have a simple (but important!) task for you to tackle:
HOMEWORK >> Review – Test – Update your questionnaires and contact forms.
Your contact forms and questionnaires on your website should make connecting simple, inviting, and seamless, and yet this is one key area of your website that’s often overlooked. Even though it’s something we rely on heavily to connect with dream clients. Think about it… your questionnaires and contact forms are often the first step in building relationships with potential clients. Creating a process that’s helpful for you and easy for them is critical to starting off on the right foot.
So, how do you strike that balance? First we will take a look at the “To-NOT-Do” list, and I’ll share tips for making your forms work better for you and your dream clients.
First thing to avoid… Asking for Too Much Information Too Soon!
I know you’re excited to learn all about your potential client. But a long, detailed form can feel overwhelming and even intrusive. Instead of encouraging connection, it might send people straight for the back button.
What To-Do Instead
Keep it simple. Ask for just the basics:
- Name
- A brief message field
That’s it! Think of your form as the welcome mat, not the full-on interview. Save the in-depth questions for your discovery call or client intake process.
You really want to avoid Requiring Irrelevant Fields as well
Do you really need their “Company Name” or “Job Title” for an initial inquiry? Probably not. Questions like these, or those asking for too many project details upfront, can feel like busywork for your potential clients, and asking for too much too soon can overwhelm them and create unnecessary friction. Plus, they might not have all the answers yet, and that’s okay!
What To-Do Instead
Stick to what you truly need to start the conversation. If you’d like extra details, mark those fields optional. A simple form feels approachable and user-friendly while giving clients the option to share more if they’re ready.
Don’t make your form do all the work!
Your forms are an opportunity to start the conversation, not the entire conversation! Asking for too much up front can make the whole process feel impersonal and it takes away from the magic of a real connection during your discovery call.
What To-Do Instead
Save those detailed questions for when you can tailor the conversation to their unique needs. Not only does this create a more comfortable experience, but it also helps your client feel heard and understood.
Now, let’s make those forms work for you!
Now we come to the official homework phase of this blog
1. Be clear and concise
Every field on your form should have a specific purpose. If it’s not essential to start the conversation, leave it out.
2. Test on Accessibility
Make sure your forms work as well on a mobile device as they do on a computer. And yes, take the time to fill out the form yourself on every device you have access to. You’ll be surprised what you catch!
3, Provide WRITTEN confirmation and SET EXPECTATIONS
As much as we try to ignore this one fact… Not every form submission will reach your inbox (thanks, spam filters!). So make sure your clients feel confident their message got through:
On-Screen Message:
Display a clear, friendly note after submission, like:
“Your message has been sent! We’re thrilled to connect with you. If you don’t hear back within [timeframe], please email us directly at [email] or call [number].”
Confirmation Email:
Send an automatic reply that feels like a personal message from you, reiterating their inquiry was sent and setting clear expectations for when they’ll hear back. You can also add in something like, “And just in case the spam filters are hard at work, please email us directly at [email] or call [number] if you don’t hear back within [timeframe].
The Power of Simplicity
By keeping your forms short and saving in-depth conversations for discovery calls, you’re creating a smoother, more enjoyable experience for everyone. You’ll focus on connecting with the right leads while ensuring potential clients feel valued from the very start.
