Does your blog or website have a contact form, or do you simply publish your email address for those who want to write? I hope that with very few exceptions you’re simply allowing folks to send an email.
Why? Because contact forms inconvenience the reader. Email is a far more flexible option for someone wanting to make contact. Individuals have an email system they’re used to… maybe they prefer webmail. Perhaps they like using Outlook, Thunderbird, or Mail.app. Forcing readers to use a contact form means they sacrifice their comfort and customizations.
If you’re part of the contact form crowd, I probably know what you’re thinking right now. You’re thinking “But if I give out my email address, I might get spam!” You’re totally right. But that’s not your readers’ fault. Don’t inconvenience your reader because your email system can’t deal with spam. It’s not about you, it’s about your reader.
What are the “very few exceptions” mentioned above for which I think a contact form is appropriate? There are two:
- If you require more than 4 pieces of information (specific data that goes beyond name/email/message and such). An example would be if you’re soliciting input about a complicated product and you require several categories of information in addition to the message.
- If you’re using the form as a front-end for an automated ticketing system.
Make it easy for your reader. Let them use the email system of their choice to get in touch.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I get the point behind what you’re saying, but how is it any more selfish or difficult for a user than having to fill out pretty much the exact same fields to leave a comment on a post?
Should we all be dumping comments and providing email addresses for that as well?
I’d say that leaving a comment falls under the idea where the data is going into an automated system. If someone only wants to send a comment directly to me, then sure, by all means drop me an email. But leaving a comment via a form allows the data to get into the blog database and be easily displayed for others.