Quote forms that get filled in: what to ask and what to leave out

Not everyone wants to ring. Some people look at trade websites in the evening, on the sofa, and would rather send a message than make a call. A quote form catches them. But a bad form is worse than no form.

Keep it short

Every extra box you add loses people. A good first form asks for the minimum you need to reply sensibly:

• Name
• Phone number
• Email
• What the job is, in a sentence or two

That is often enough. You can get the detail on the phone or on site.

Add one or two useful extras

Depending on your trade, a couple of optional fields help you quote faster:

• Postcode or town, so you know quickly whether it is in your area
• Photos, especially for roofing, plastering and landscaping. A photo saves a wasted visit.
• Preferred time to call, which is a courtesy people appreciate

Make anything beyond the basics optional.

Leave out what puts people off

• Long lists of required fields
• Anything that asks for a budget up front, which makes people suspicious
• Puzzles and hard-to-read security images
• Vague boxes like “How did you hear about us?” as a requirement

Tell people what happens next

Under the button, say what to expect: “We reply within one working day and will usually ring to arrange a free quote.” That reassurance lifts the number of people who complete the form.

Make the button say something useful

“Submit” is dull. “Get my free quote” or “Request a call back” tells the customer what they get.

Reply quickly

This is the part most trades get wrong. Many customers send enquiries to several firms, and the first to reply usually wins. Set up notifications so a new enquiry reaches your phone, and aim to answer as quickly as you can.

Test it yourself

Fill in your own form on your phone. Is it easy? Does it work? Does the message arrive? Test it again every few months, because forms can quietly break.

Built in

Every site we build has a tested quote form that sends enquiries straight to you. See what is included.