Your Friend on the Web, Diana Ratliff

Website Strategy & Digital Consulting

forms

Pet Peeve – Phone Numbers on Web Forms

Phone numbers on web formsIs it too much to ask for an example of the proper format when you’re given the option to enter a phone number on a web form?  Especially when a phone number is required?

I was just trying to enter my phone number at Godaddy.com – and kept getting messages that my phone number was invalid.

555.555.5555 – nope, invalid

(555) 555-5555 – didn’t work either

555-555-5555 – doggonit

5555555555 – that one worked!

It really shouldn’t be that big a deal to give an example of the correct format.

And sure would make the web a friendlier place!!!

Getting Site Visitors to Fill Out Forms

One of my new clients has a contact form on her site that asked for very basic info:

  • Name
  • Email Address
  • Phone
  • Comments

She called and asked me to make the form longer – to request more information.

Generally speaking – that’s not a good idea, and here’s why.  It boils down to two main reasons:

  1. Site visitors are in a hurry – they don’t want to mess with filling out a long form.
  2. Visitors are also protective of their privacy, and they aren’t sure what you’re going to do with all that info!

So be very careful what you ask for in a form – and make sure you really need the information.

For most email lists, for example, asking for a first name and email address is all you need.  You’ll get more signups that way.

However – your sign-ups will be less targeted than if you request more complete information, so that’s the “flipside” to consider.  Which is more important to you – more, less targeted contacts, or fewer, more-targeted contacts?

Always tell people what they’re going to get when they DO enter data on a form, and if possible give them an incentive for doing so – a discount, free report, etc.   It’s also helpful to reassure them that you’ll respect their privacy and not sell or share their info with anyone else.