Picture a scenario where a homeowner in your city is looking online for a home service. They find your website with only a phone number but can’t make a call, so they move on to the next website instead. Just like that, you’ve lost a new customer.
People are always looking for the easiest process online. This is where a contact form comes in, especially for home service businesses.
In this post, we’ll explore some small business website tips you can use today and explain the importance of a contact form on your website, even if you prefer phone calls.
The Importance of a Contact Form
Contact forms are very important for capturing leads as a home service provider. Here’s why this small website feature matters so much:
Convenience
Not everyone likes to make phone calls, but this is the go-to for most home service businesses. Some people get nervous about talking on the phone, while others just like to be able to send a quick message and move on. They could also be busy or just don’t have the time for a long phone call.
A contact form helps close this gap. It gives potential customers a way to reach you that feels easy for them. This kind of flexibility could be the key to getting a new client or losing them to another business that gives them this choice.
24/7 Availability
Your business may work from 9 to 5, but your website is always working. A contact form acts like a receptionist that never sleeps, ready to get messages any time of day or night.
Imagine a homeowner noticing a problem at midnight. They may not want to make a call so late, but they still need to get help right away. With a contact form, people can easily send their information and request your services.
This can give you an advantage over other businesses in your area that are only available during the day.
The Benefits of a Contact Form
A website contact form isn’t just valuable for your clients. It can also help expand your business and boost your reputation.
Collect Essential Information
One big advantage of using a contact form is that it helps you collect specific details right away. Instead of trying to reach each other by phone many times or sending lots of emails just for basic info, you can make your form ask exactly the questions needed.
For example, your website contact form might ask for:
- Name and contact information
- Type of issue
- How urgent the problem is
- Preferred time for a callback or visit
When you have this information right away, you can limit back-and-forth communication, which could waste time on both ends. You can also focus on the most urgent requests first and even make quotes based on the description of the issue.
Lead Generation and Tracking
Lead generation can be hard, especially when you have many jobs and inquiries to handle as a small business. Phone calls are easy to forget or details might get lost. A contact form solves this problem completely.
Each time someone submits a form, it makes a record. This means you get an organized list showing everyone who contacted you, what they need, and the time they reached out to you. No more stressing to recall who called about which matter or missing job opportunities because a phone number got lost.
This organized way of tracking leads makes sure each possible customer receives a follow-up, increasing your chances of turning questions into actual paying jobs.
Professionalism
In today’s digital world, having a nice website with a working contact form shows you are professional. It means you are well-organized, understand technology, and care about staying in touch with your clients. This is very important for local service businesses that want to create trust with possible customers.
Integrating a Contact Form with CRM
Contact forms on your website can be integrated with other tools you use, including CRM systems.
What is CRM?
CRM (Customer Relationship Management) is a system that helps your business manage communication with your customers.
It’s like a smart address book that saves your messages and contacts. It can also keep track of appointments, scheduling, and marketing efforts.
Popular CRM systems for small businesses and service providers include:
- Jobber: Great for field service businesses
- Housecall Pro: Designed specifically for home service professionals
- HubSpot: A versatile option good for various business types
- Salesforce: A powerful system that can grow with your business
How CRM Integration Works
Here’s how the process works when you connect your contact form with a CRM system:
- A potential customer fills out your contact form on your website.
- The information they enter is automatically sent to your CRM system.
- The CRM creates a new contact for that client.
Depending on your settings, the CRM might:
- Send you an alert about the new lead
- Send a confirmation email to the customer
- Add the lead to a follow-up task list
- Schedule the lead for assignment to a team member
Benefits of Integration
Integrating your contact form with a CRM comes with many benefits, including:
- Simple operations: No longer required to move details from emails or voicemails into your customer records by hand.
- Faster reply: By getting instant notifications, you can answer questions quicker to secure more contracts.
- Improved organization: Every customer interaction is kept in one place, giving you a full view of your relationship with each client.
- Enhanced follow-up: CRM systems can help remind you to check back with leads.
How to Set Up a Contact Form
When you’re ready to set up a contact form on your website, follow these steps:
Choose the Right Tool
If you use WordPress, you can use plugins like Contact Form 7 or WPForms. At Boost Web Studio, we use Gravity Forms for our clients with WordPress websites. It’s easy to use, very flexible, and has great options for linking with different CRM systems.
Website builder platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and Weebly have built-in form builders, or you can use a website like Typeform or JotForm to help you make forms that can be put on any website.
Design Tips For Your Contact Form
Here are some easy tips to follow when you’re setting up your website’s contact form:
- Keep it short: Don’t ask for too much information, or you may not get many submissions.
- Make it mobile-friendly: Make sure your form works on phones and tablets, too.
- Be clear: It should be very obvious what you’re asking for on each form field.
- Add a privacy statement: Tell your clients how their information will be used so they feel safe.
- Add a call-to-action: Use clear, action-focused buttons that say things like “Get Free Quote” or “Schedule Call”.
Test Your Form
Before you go live, you’ll need to test your form to make sure it works. Here’s an easy checklist to follow:
- Visit your website and fill out the form yourself as a test.
- Check that you get an email confirmation after submitting.
- Test the form on different devices (desktop, tablet, smartphone) and browsers.
- Check that the data is moving properly into your CRM after you set up an integration.
- Check that the required fields are working.
- Make sure any error messages help your clients submit the form successfully.
If a form does not work well or breaks, it can be more harmful than having no form at all. Regular checks and upkeep are essential so that your form remains a useful tool for your home service business.
Stop Missing Out On Website Leads
Even if you prefer phone calls, a contact form is a valuable addition to your website. It’s more convenient, helps you track leads, and is easy to integrate with your CRM systems.
Do you have a contact form on your website now? If not, consider using these small business website tips and adding a contact form to stop missing out on potential leads for your business!
