Web Design for Lead Capture

Now, designing a web site or page that performs a specific function is different. Of course, you still have to place all your elements right, get the text right and make it look nice, but there is a special way to set up a lead capture home page. You can do this one of several ways. The use of a form is necessary, yet easy to institute.

Forms are used everywhere we go on the Internet for many different reasons. One of the most widely used reasons is the capture of information. No, it doesn’t mean you take their information hostage. Quite the opposite, folks. You ASK them to GIVE you their contact info. The visitor will either accept the request or deny it. It is the job of great web design to MAKE them WANT to give your info.

When using forms for lead capture, the idea is to use the K.I.S.S. method; Keep It Straight & Simple. Only ask them for the info you require to keep in touch with them electronically. Ask for the following as a guide:

• First name
• Email address
• Phone number (optional)

This is enough to get your foot in the door. Now onto the HTML needed to make it happen. Yes, it is easy and anyone can add a form to their page(s) in a few minutes, literally. Here is a sample piece of form HTML.

<form>

<input type=”text” email=”email” value=”email”>

<input type=”text” name=”firstname” value=”firstname”>

<input type=”submit”>

</form>

This returns a short little form that asks for the visitors email address and first name. The visitor will enter the information into text boxes and then press a “submit” button to send it to you. Fields can be added as you wish for last name, phone number, address, city, state, zip code or even a little area where they can tell you their likes and interests. Anything you want to know about them, you ask for.

The placement of this form is important to how your visitors respond to the request. I usually put it at the bottom, under my main text area, after I have told them exactly WHY they should let me contact them. This is where your salesmanship plays a role.

The page text has to be succinct, focused and relevant to the request you will make at the end. Everything you type onto that page leads to the form and info request. Compel them to want more information. Make them NEED your product or service. Show them HOW you can help them.

As you can see, the form is not really all that hard to put there. It’s the way your web design leads up to it that counts. Everything about your page affects whether they will send you’re the info or click away forever. For this reason, effective web design is a thing of planning.

Plan your page, add the form and lead your visitors to it naturally.

As they say, “Success is in the planning, not the implementation”.