When visitors come to your website, there are a handful of reasons as to why they may be there. Perhaps your business is the answer to a need, or word-of-mouth sent them there to see what all the buzz is about.
A contact page gives your audience somewhere to turn when they’re searching for answers, someone to speak to, or give them a better
customer experience on your site. It encompasses many useful tools for users, so ensuring that it has what your audience needs is crucial for an effective page.
Incorporate these essential
web design practices when building or refreshing your contact page to maximize its value.
1. Ensure It's Easy to Find
This may seem obvious, but it bears reminding since few things are more frustrating for visitors (and cause more bounces) than being unable to find what they want. Lead your audience to the help they may need on any page by placing the contact page link in a prominent, easy-to-access spot, such as the main navigation menu or footer.
2. Design a Simple Form
Keep the form straightforward and avoid unnecessary fields and words. A clean and simple design helps users navigate the page easily and reduces confusion. Here are some form design tips:
- Use a single-column layout for the form
- Limit the number of fields to the essentials (e.g. name, email, message)
- Clearly label each field and provide helpful hints where necessary
3. Show Validation and Confirmation
Implement form validation to ensure that users provide the required information correctly. Provide a confirmation message or redirect users to a thank-you page after they submit the form so they don't wonder if their message went through.
Remember to test your form on multiple devices and browsers to detect and fix any errors, providing a seamless experience for as many users as possible.
4. Provide Key Information
Include all the necessary contact details, such as email addresses, phone numbers, office addresses, and a map. Provide clear instructions on how users can reach out to your business to minimize friction and confusion.
Furthermore, prioritize the most important information on the page by using visual hierarchy. Use headings, bullet points, and spacing to make the content scannable and easy to digest.
5. Add a Human Touch
Humanizing your contact page can make visitors feel more comfortable reaching out. Write friendly, engaging copy that sets expectations for response times and thanks users for reaching out.
Next, consider using a conversational tone to make users feel more comfortable. Add photos or brief bios of your support team to make your contact page more personable.
6. Have a Mobile-Friendly Design
Ensure that your contact page is mobile-friendly and displays properly on different devices. Optimize the layout and form fields for smaller screens to not only enhance user experience but also SEO.
7. Adapt to Customer Needs
Including some FAQs will undoubtedly be helpful, but take into consideration your customers’ time and needs. If a question can’t be easily answered, direct them to your chat feature or email.
When you allow different methods on your contact page for reaching out or solving problems, you’re displaying their best interest and showing genuine care for whatever issues they may have.
Connect with More Leads and Customers
A well-designed contact page is a powerful tool for converting visitors into leads and
elevating your customer experience. By following these guidelines, you can create a contact page that is visually appealing, user-friendly, and effective in connecting more deeply with your audience.
This post was originally published in January 2022 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.