You’ve got a steady stream of visitors landing on your website, but they’re not converting into actual jobs. Sound familiar? I see this all the time with tradesperson websites here in Cardiff. The problem usually isn’t your services or your prices , it’s your quote form.
Most tradespeople either don’t have a quote form at all, or they’ve got one that’s so complicated it scares people away. Honestly, I think a good quote form is the difference between a website that just looks pretty and one that actually brings in work.
Why Your Current Quote Form Isn’t Working
In my experience building websites for Welsh tradespeople, I’ve seen some absolute horror shows. Forms with 20 fields asking for everything including your grandmother’s maiden name. Others that look like they were designed in 2005 and break on mobile phones.
A local electrician came to us recently after struggling with a Wix site he’d built himself. His quote form had 15 mandatory fields, including ones that didn’t even apply to electrical work. No wonder his enquiry rate was terrible.
Here’s what kills conversions:
- Too many mandatory fields
- Asking for information you don’t actually need
- Forms that don’t work properly on mobile devices
- No clear explanation of what happens next
- Generic “Submit” buttons that don’t inspire confidence
Essential Elements of High-Converting Quote Forms
We’ve found that the best performing quote forms for tradespeople follow a simple formula. Keep it simple, make it relevant, and tell people exactly what to expect.
The Perfect Field Selection
You only need five core fields:
- Name (first name only is fine)
- Phone number (most important for tradespeople)
- Email address (backup contact method)
- Postcode (to check if you cover their area)
- Project description (text area, not mandatory)
That’s it. Anything else can wait until you’re actually speaking to them. The goal is to start a conversation, not gather their entire life story.
Mobile-First Design
This is something I see too often: quote forms that look fine on desktop but are impossible to use on a phone. Given that most people are browsing on mobile, especially when looking for urgent tradesperson services, this is business suicide.
We always design quote forms mobile-first. Large, easy-to-tap buttons. Proper keyboard types for each field (numeric keypad for phone numbers, full keyboard for text). No tiny checkboxes that require a magnifying glass to hit.
Psychology That Drives Action
There’s proper psychology behind what makes people fill out forms. It’s not just about making them look nice , though understanding visitor psychology definitely helps with overall website performance.
Trust Signals
People are naturally suspicious of giving their details to strangers on the internet. You need to earn their trust before they’ll hand over their phone number.
“No obligation quote” and “We’ll call you within 2 hours” work much better than generic “Get a quote” buttons.
Include your business registration details, insurance information, or trade body memberships near your quote form. A photo of you and your van doesn’t hurt either , people like dealing with real humans, not faceless companies.
Clear Value Proposition
Tell people exactly what they’re getting and when. “Free, no-obligation quote delivered within 24 hours” is infinitely better than just “Get Quote”.
Technical Considerations That Matter
Here’s where a lot of DIY websites fall apart. Those fancy AI-generated sites might look modern, but if the client can’t update the quote form or it breaks on half the devices people use, what’s the point?
We build all our tradesperson websites using WordPress with the Bricks builder specifically so you can make changes yourself if needed. Want to add a field for urgent jobs? You can do that without paying a developer.
Form Validation and Error Handling
Nothing’s more frustrating than filling out a form, hitting submit, and getting an error message with no explanation. Proper validation shows errors in real-time and explains exactly what needs fixing.
We also ensure all forms work properly with GDPR requirements. It’s not just about compliance , it’s about showing potential customers that you take their privacy seriously.
Follow-Up That Converts Enquiries to Jobs
Getting the form submission is only half the battle. What happens next determines whether that lead becomes paying work.
Set up automatic email confirmations that actually mean something. Instead of “We’ve received your enquiry”, try “Thanks John, I’ll call you this afternoon to discuss your bathroom renovation”.
My honest advice is to call within two hours if possible. People who are looking for tradespeople are usually doing so because they have an urgent need. The first person to call back often gets the job.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t make your quote form a separate page buried in your navigation. Put it front and centre on your homepage. Better yet, include shorter contact forms on every service page.
Avoid asking for a budget upfront. I know it seems logical, but it actually puts people off. They don’t know what things should cost , that’s why they’re asking for a quote.
And please, don’t use those chatbot popup things that appear the second someone lands on your site. They’re annoying and make you look like every other website. Focus on guiding visitors naturally towards your quote form instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I ask for a budget in my quote form?
Generally, no. Most homeowners don’t know what work should cost, which is exactly why they’re asking for quotes. Asking for a budget upfront can make people uncomfortable and reduce conversions. You can always discuss budget during your follow-up call.
How many fields should my quote form have?
Stick to five essential fields: name, phone, email, postcode, and project description. You can gather additional details during your phone conversation or site visit. Every extra field reduces your conversion rate.
Should my quote form be on a separate page?
No, embed quote forms directly on your homepage and service pages. People shouldn’t have to navigate to a separate contact page to request a quote. Make it as easy as possible for them to get in touch.
Ready to Transform Your Website’s Performance?
A properly designed quote form can double or triple your website enquiries. It’s one of the quickest wins you can implement for your tradesperson website.
We specialise in building websites that actually bring in work for Welsh tradespeople. No complicated setups, no monthly surprises , just websites that convert visitors into paying customers. See how we can help your business get more enquiries starting this month.
