A contact form is the most important bridge between a website visitor and a paying customer. For Australian small businesses, it provides a professional, 24/7 way for locals to reach out without the pressure of a phone call or the clutter of a direct email.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of setting up a functional, high-converting contact form. We will focus on WordPress using the WPForms plugin (the most popular choice), but these principles apply to almost any platform like Squarespace, Wix, or Shopify.
Why Your Brisbane Business Needs a Contact Form
An email address link (mailto:) often opens a mail app the user isn't logged into, leading to frustration. A form, however, keeps the user on your site, allows you to ask specific questions (like their suburb or service type), and ensures you get all the information you need to provide an accurate quote on the first go.
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Prerequisites
Before we begin, ensure you have:- Administrative access to your website backend.
- A professional business email address (e.g., hello@yourbusiness.com.au) to receive notifications.
- 15–20 minutes of focused time.
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Step 1: Install a Form Plugin
If you are using WordPress, you need a tool to build the form.- Log in to your WordPress Dashboard.
- Navigate to Plugins > Add New.
- In the search bar, type "WPForms".
- Click Install Now, then click Activate.
Screenshot Description: You should see a list of plugins; WPForms usually has an orange bear mascot icon. Once activated, a new "WPForms" menu item will appear in your left-hand sidebar.
Step 2: Create a New Form
Now that the tool is ready, let’s build your first form.- Click on WPForms > Add New in your sidebar.
- You will be prompted to name your form. Use something clear like "Main Contact Form".
- Select the "Simple Contact Form" template. This pre-fills the basics: Name, Email, and Message.
Step 3: Customise Your Fields
Standard forms are okay, but local service businesses often need more detail.- On the left panel, you’ll see "Standard Fields".
- Click and drag "Phone" (if using the Pro version) or a "Single Line Text" field into the form.
- Click on the field to edit it. Change the Label to "Phone Number".
- Check the "Required" box. This ensures you can actually call the lead back!
- Pro Tip: Add a "Dropdown" field for "Service Required" (e.g., Plumbing, Electrical, Maintenance) so you can route the lead to the right person.
Step 4: Configure Australian Formatting
To make your form feel local, ensure your settings match Australian expectations.- Click on the Settings tab within the form builder.
- Under General, change the "Submit Button Text" to something action-oriented like "Get a Free Quote" or "Enquire Now".
- Ensure the "Submit Button Processing Text" says "Sending...".
Step 5: Set Up Email Notifications
This is the most critical step. If this is wrong, you won't know when a customer contacts you.- Go to Settings > Notifications.
- Ensure "Send to Email Address" is set to your business email. You can use the smart tag
{admin_email}or type it manually. - Email Subject Line: Change this to something recognisable, like "New Lead from [Your Business Name] Website".
- From Name: Set this to your business name.
- Reply-To Address: Set this to the
{field_id="1"}(the user's email field). This allows you to simply click "Reply" in your inbox to email the customer back.
Step 6: Set Up the Confirmation Message
What happens after the user clicks submit? Don't leave them wondering.- Go to Settings > Confirmations.
- Choose Message as the confirmation type.
- Write a friendly note: "Thanks for reaching out! A member of our Brisbane team will get back to you within 24 hours."
- Advanced Tip: Better yet, choose "Go to URL (Redirect)" and send them to a dedicated "Thank You" page where you can track conversions for Google Ads.
Step 7: Embed the Form on Your Contact Page
Now that the form is built, you need to put it where people can see it.- Save your form and exit the builder.
- Go to Pages > All Pages and find your "Contact Us" page.
- If using the Block Editor (Gutenberg), click the (+) icon and search for the "WPForms" block.
- Select your "Main Contact Form" from the dropdown menu.
- Screenshot Description: You will see the form appear directly within your page editor exactly as it will look on the live site.
Step 8: Optimise for Mobile
Most Brisbane locals will find your business while on their phones.- Click Preview on your page.
- Use your browser's inspect tool or simply view the page on your smartphone.
- Ensure the buttons are large enough to tap and the text fields aren't too small.
Step 9: The "Golden Rule" Test
Never launch a form without testing it yourself.- Publish the page.
- Open your website in an "Incognito" or "Private" window.
- Fill out the form as if you were a customer.
- Check your email inbox (and spam folder) to ensure the notification arrived.
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Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Asking for too much info: Every extra field reduces the chance of someone completing the form. Only ask for what you truly need to start the conversation.
- Ignoring Spam: Without protection, you'll get bot entries. Enable Google reCAPTCHA or the built-in WPForms anti-spam honeypot.
- No ABN or Contact Details: Even with a form, Australian law and trust signals suggest you should still list your ABN and physical address (if applicable) on your contact page.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Issue: I’m not receiving the notification emails. Solution:* This is common with WordPress. Your server might be blocking outgoing mail. Install an SMTP plugin (like WP Mail SMTP) to ensure your emails are delivered via a professional provider like SendGrid or Gmail. Issue: The form looks "broken" or messy on the page. Solution:* This is usually a CSS conflict with your theme. Try changing the "Field Size" to "Large" in the WPForms settings to ensure it spans the full width of the container. Issue: I'm getting too much spam. Solution:* Ensure you have enabled the "Honeypot" method in the form settings. If that fails, integrate Google reCAPTCHA v3, which works silently in the background without making users click on pictures of traffic lights.---
Next Steps
Now that your contact form is live, you should focus on driving traffic to it. Consider setting up Google Analytics conversion tracking so you can see exactly where your leads are coming from—whether it's organic search, social media, or paid ads.If you're finding the technical setup a bit overwhelming, or you want to ensure your form is perfectly optimised for the Brisbane market, the team at Local Marketing Group is here to help. We specialise in high-converting websites for local Aussie businesses.
Need a hand with your website? Contact us today for a chat about how we can help you grow.