When potential clients visit your website, they may find the contact form intimidating due to many fields or lack of trust in sharing their information. It is a common problem that affects many websites and can hinder engagement.
Research shows that reducing the number of form fields from 11 to 4 can boost conversions by 120%.
Contact form optimization is crucial in turning interested visitors into real leads. The better the form, the higher the contact form conversion rate.
How can you make sure visitors don’t give up halfway?
The website can help visitors contact them using simple, easy-to-use form designs. The trick lies in knowing what works and how to create contact forms that don’t scare people away.
Whether it’s minimizing form fields, building trust, or ensuring mobile responsiveness, every small change can lead to more conversions.
12 Best Practices to Boost Contact Form Conversion Rates
Every business owner knows that getting visitors to fill out a contact form is essential for growing a business. But how often do you feel frustrated with a low contact form conversion rate?
What if you could turn more of those visitors into qualified leads by making just a few simple changes? Your form can start a meaningful conversation. If your form feels like a chore, people will walk away.
As a business owner, wouldn’t you want to avoid that?
Let’s explore fresh and proven tactics that can help to boost your contact form conversion rates.
1. Keep Your Forms Short and Simple
Nobody likes filling out a long form, especially on a mobile device. The shorter and simpler your form, the better it performs. Why?
When forms are quick and straightforward, more users are likely to finish them. This can lead to more responses and better results for your goals.
➥ Less Time, More Action
Users don’t want to spend more than a minute on a web form. For example, Grover Web Design only asks for essential information, like name, email and phone number. This approach helps reduce drop-offs.
➥ Focus on Essentials
Only ask for absolutely necessary information. For example, if you’re just looking to get a lead, asking for a name, email, and phone number might suffice.
➥ Mobile Friendly Forms
Short contact forms are particularly effective on mobile devices. Users can complete them easily without scrolling through long lists of fields, enhancing the form conversion rate.
2. Use a Clear and Best Headline
Think of your headline as a first impression. If it doesn’t grab attention, people won’t bother with the rest of the contact form. Does your headline speak to user’s needs?
Make sure your headline is clear and engaging. It should connect with your audience and make them want to learn more. Ask yourself if it highlights the benefits or solutions you offer. A strong headline can draw people in and encourage them to read further.
➥ Be Direct
A headline like “Get Your Free eBook Now!” immediately tells users what they will receive, making it easier to entice them to fill out the form.
➥ Highlight Benefits
Instead of vague statements, use headlines that explain the value or benefit. For example, Red Hawk Coaching: Unlock Success Every Friday clearly tells what you gain by subscribing.
➥ Match Expectations
Ensure your headline matches the content and purpose of your form. Consistency between the headline and the form’s goal prevents confusion and increases user trust.
3. Add Best Call-to-Action
Your submit button might seem like a small part of the contact forms, but it’s crucial. What if instead of “Submit,” you used something like “Get Your Free Trial”? Wouldn’t that make you more eager to click?
A clear and engaging submit button can encourage people to take action. It’s essential to make the submit button inviting and relevant to what users want. By using action oriented words, you can increase the chances that visitors will click on it.
➥ Action Oriented Text
Replace generic buttons like “Submit” with action-driven phrases such as “Get Your Free Consultation” to make the next step clear and enticing.
➥ Create Urgency
Words like “Act Now” or “Limited Time Offer” can encourage users to complete the form immediately rather than putting it off.
➥ Align With Goals
Ensure the call to action button text aligns with the user’s goal. If your form offers a discount, a button saying “Claim My Discount” directly reflects that goal.
4. Offer an Incentive
People love free stuff. What can you offer in exchange for their personal contact information? Maybe a guide, a discount, or even a free consultation.
Using a strong marketing strategy is essential. Think about what your audience values most. Create offers that appeal to them. By offering something valuable you not only get their contact information but also start a relationship.
➥ Value Exchange
Offering something valuable, like a free eBook or discount, can significantly increase form submissions. People are more likely to share their contact information if they receive something in return.
➥ Tailored Offers
Customize the incentive based on what appeals most to your audience. For example, a free trial might work well for a software product, while a discount could be more effective for retail.
➥ Highlight Incentives
Make sure the offer is prominently displayed on the form to catch user’s attention and make the conversion more appealing.
5. Use Conditional Logic to Simplify
Have you ever noticed how long forms change based on your answer? That’s conditional logic at work, and it’s genius for keeping contact forms short and personalized.
It makes filling out forms easier and faster. You can only see the questions that matter to your audience, which can reduce frustration. By using conditional logic, businesses can gather the right information without overwhelming the user. It helps create a better experience for everyone involved.
➥ Dynamic Fields
Only show form fields that are relevant based on the user’s previous responses. For example, if a user indicates they’re interested in a specific service, company name, or job title display fields related to that service only.
➥ Streamlined Experience
It keeps the form shorter and more relevant, improving user experience and increasing the chances of form completion.
➥ Avoid Overwhelm
By only presenting relevant fields, you prevent users from feeling overwhelmed by too many options, which can lead to higher form conversion rate.
6. Ask for Either Phone Number or Email
People are cautious about giving out their phone numbers, so why not make it optional fields or better yet, just ask for their email? It builds trust and increases form conversion rate.
When users feel secure, they are more likely to share information. By simplifying the process and respecting their privacy, you can improve the chances of getting more responses.
➥ Flexibility
Allow users to choose between providing a phone number or email. This flexibility can reduce friction and cater to user’s quick reference.
➥ Trust Building
Be transparent about why you need contact information. For example, “We may contact you via email or phone to discuss your inquiry” helps users understand the purpose.
➥ Minimize Required Fields
Only ask for a phone number if it’s crucial for your follow-up process. The fewer mandatory fields, the higher the chances of form submission.
7. Build Trust for Your Audience
Would you fill out a form on a sketchy-looking website? Probably not. Trust is everything when it comes to contact form conversion rates.
To boost conversion rates, make sure your site appears professional and secure. Use clear language, provide contact details, and display social proof. These steps can build trust and encourage more people to fill out your form.
➥ Trust Badges
Display SSL badges or privacy statements near the form to show that their data is secure. It can reduce concerns about data security.
➥ Social Proof
Include testimonials or user reviews close to the form. Seeing positive feedback from others can enhance trust and make users more comfortable submitting their information.
➥ Clear Privacy Policy
A link to a clear privacy policy reassures users about how their contact information will be used and protected.
8. Provide Real-Time Error Validation
Have you ever filled out a long form and hit submit, only to be told you’ve missed something? It’s frustrating, right? Real-time validation helps avoid that.
It checks your input as you go, so you can fix mistakes right away. It makes filling out form field easier and less stressful.
➥ Instant Feedback
Highlight errors immediately, such as an invalid email format, to allow users to fix them right away. This prevents errors from delaying form submission.
➥ Clear Instructions
Provide specific error messages that guide users through correcting the issue, making the process smoother and less confusing.
➥ Improve User Experience
Real-time error validation makes the form-filling experience more seamless and less likely to result in abandoned contact forms.
9. Use Visual Cues to Guide Users
Sometimes, it all takes is a small visual cue to guide people through a form. Have you tried adding arrows, icons, or even a small animation to your contact forms?
These simple additions can make a big difference. They can guide users and make the process easier. When people see clear signs, they feel more confident about completing the web forms. It can lead to more submissions and better engagement. Try experimenting with different visuals to see what works best for your audience.
➥ Subtle Animations
Use subtle animations or arrows to direct the user’s attention to the most important parts of the form. It can guide their focus and improve form conversion rate.
➥ Icons and Field Labels
Add icons next to form fields to clarify what information is required. For example, a phone icon next to a phone number field can help users quickly identify the type of information needed.
➥ Directional Arrows
Use arrows or other visual guides to lead users through multi-page forms, making the process more intuitive.
10. Test Different Form Placements
Do you know where the best place for your form is on your website? Testing different placements can help you find the most effective location.
Start by placing the web forms where visitors can easily see it, like at the top of the page or in the sidebar. You can also test putting it at the end of a blog post or on a dedicated landing page.
➥ Above the Fold
Placing the form above the fold ensures it’s visible without scrolling, increasing the chances of users seeing and completing it.
➥ Pop Up and Sidebars
Test using pop-ups or sidebars to see if these placements result in higher conversion rates. Sometimes, different placements can attract more attention.
➥ Analyze Performance
Review the performance of different placements regularly to find the most effective spot for your form, optimizing for a higher form conversion rate.
11. Offer a Progress Indicator for Long Forms
Have you ever started filling out a long form and felt like you were never going to finish? A progress indicator can help users feel more in control.
It shows how much of the form is complete and how much is left. This way, users can see the progress and feel motivated to keep going. Knowing they are making headway can reduce frustration and make them seem easier.
➥ Progress Bars
Show a progress bar or step counter to let users know how much of the form they have completed and how much is left. It can make long forms feel more manageable.
➥ Encourage Completion
Knowing how much is left can motivate users to complete the form, reducing form conversion rate.
➥ Control and Clarity
A progress indicator enhances users’ overall experience by giving them a sense of control and clarity about the form completion process.
Also check: 20 Form Builder Tools for Creating Effortless Online Forms
12. Use Follow-Up Messages or Thank You Pages
Have you ever submitted a form and wondered if it went through? A thank you message or page reassures users that their form was submitted successfully.
When you submit a form, it’s important to know that it reached its destination. A clear thank you message lets you know that your submission was received. This simple confirmation can ease any worries you might have.
➥ Thank You Message
Display a thank you message or page to reassure users that their form has been successfully submitted. It can also include details on what happens next. Make sure the thank you message is clear and friendly. You can say something like, Thank You for your submission! We have received your information. It helps users feel confident that their form is in the right hands.
➥ Reinforce Actions
Use this opportunity to reinforce the next steps or actions they can take, such as checking their email for further instructions. They should look for any updates or messages that provide guidance.
➥ Build Engagement
A follow-up message or page can enhance user satisfaction and encourage further engagement with your site or offer.
Conclusion
After exploring 12 best practices to boost contact form conversion rate, it’s clear that small tweaks can make a big difference. One key takeaway is to keep form fields to a minimum, making it easier for mobile users, especially on mobile devices, to fill out.
Simplifying the design and ensuring the form good on mobile screens can prevent mobile users from abandoning it halfway. Whether you’re using conversion forms on landing pages or multiple pages, the goal is to reduce friction and make the process smooth.
With these practices, you’ll see an improvement in your contact form conversion rate by creating a user-friendly experience.