54: How to Get More Leads from your Contact Page

Summary: In this podcast episode, Meredith's husband offers ten key tips to optimize website contact forms for improved conversion rates. These suggestions, based on industry research, guide website owners on streamlining contact forms to reduce friction, enhance user experience, and improve response times. The advice, such as simplifying form fields and using a "thank you" page for tracking, helps website owners convert more visitors into clients.

Blog Post: 10 Proven Tips to Optimize Your Contact Forms for Higher Conversions

A website's contact form is one of the most crucial elements for converting visitors into leads and customers. While many business owners focus on optimizing their site for traffic, they often overlook how to make the contact page as effective as possible. In a recent podcast episode, Meredith's husband, an SEO expert, shared ten key strategies for optimizing contact forms to boost conversion rates and reduce friction for potential clients.

Here’s a breakdown of those ten tips and how you can apply them to your website to see immediate improvements.

1. Use a Simple, Clear Title Tag

The title of your contact page should be straightforward and contain the word "contact," followed by your brand name. For example, use “Contact [Your Name or Brand]” rather than clever phrases like “Let’s Connect.” This helps people find your page easily when searching for it on Google.

2. Place Contact Links in Main Navigation and Footer

Make sure your contact link is easy to find in both your website’s main navigation and footer. Avoid using overly creative or complicated labels—stick to “Contact” to minimize user frustration.

3. Ask Why They’re Contacting You First

Rather than starting with fields like name or email, begin your contact form by asking users why they are reaching out. This helps engage visitors right away and sets a conversational tone. Use a dropdown menu for common inquiries to make it easier for users.

4. Limit Fields to Three to Five

The ideal number of fields for your contact form is between three and five. This keeps the form simple and reduces the chances of overwhelming potential clients. Essential fields include the reason for contact, name, and email address.

5. Make Phone Numbers Optional

If you require a phone number, make sure this field is optional. Many people hesitate to provide their number and may abandon the form altogether if it’s mandatory.

6. Include Social Proof

Adding elements like testimonials, awards, or credentials near your contact form can build trust. If you’re a photographer, for instance, a brief testimonial or an industry award badge can reassure visitors of your credibility.

7. Personalize the Submit Button

Instead of using a generic "Submit" button, change it to something more personal, like “Send to [Your Name].” This small tweak can increase the number of form submissions, as it feels more welcoming.

8. Respond Quickly

Fast response times are essential. Studies show that people are more likely to hire the first business that gets back to them. If you can’t respond immediately, use an auto-responder with a plain text format to keep the conversation going.

9. Test for Spam Issues

Ensure that your contact form submissions aren’t landing in your spam folder. Regularly check this folder if you're not receiving leads, as important messages may be hidden there.

10. Optimize for Mobile

Make sure your contact form looks great on mobile devices. Since many users will be visiting your site from their phones, a poorly formatted form can deter them from reaching out.

Bonus Tip: Use a Thank You Page for Tracking

After someone submits the form, redirect them to a "Thank You" page. This page not only confirms their submission but also allows you to track conversions in Google Analytics. Only visitors who submit the form will see this page, making it a reliable way to measure the success of your contact page.

Resources

For more insights on contact form optimization and to explore tools like Dubsado for form management, check out the link Meredith's husband mentioned in the podcast episode.

By implementing these simple yet effective changes to your contact form, you can significantly increase the number of leads you generate from your website. Best of all, most of these tips are easy to apply and can have an immediate impact on your business.