Skip to main content ↓
id tag with pencil

How To Optimize Lead Forms in 9 Simple Steps

So, you’ve created a great landing page to promote a special offer. Now it’s time to ensure your forms turn your visitors into leads. That’s where lead form optimization comes in.

Lead form optimization involves tweaking and testing various elements of your form, such as the number of fields, their placement, and the wording of your call-to-action (CTA) button, to increase the likelihood that visitors will fill out your form and become leads. It’s the best way to fine-tune your lead generation process and maximize the return on your marketing efforts.

So, how do you optimize lead forms? This article has the answer. You’ll learn the fundamentals of lead form optimization, how to optimize lead forms, and explore the psychology of form fields.

Here’s a breakdown of what we’ll cover:

Don’t miss our Marketing Manager Insider emails!

Join 200,000 smart marketers and get the month’s hottest marketing news and insights delivered straight to your inbox!

Enter your email below:

Inline Subscription Form – CTA 72

*” indicates required fields

Hidden
Hidden
Hidden
Hidden
Hidden
Hidden
Hidden
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

(Don’t worry, we’ll never share your information!)

cta44 img

What is lead form optimization?

Lead form optimization is the process of improving the design and functionality of online lead capture forms to increase the number of completed submissions and conversions. It involves testing different form layouts, reducing the number of required fields, and implementing clear CTAs.

Why should you optimize lead forms?

Optimizing lead forms can increase conversion rates and the quality of the leads you generate for your business. It also ensures a better user experience for potential customers. By improving the user experience and reducing friction in the form, you can encourage more visitors to fill it out, ultimately driving more revenue.

Incorporating clear and concise instructions can also allow visitors to navigate the form quickly and complete it without confusion. Furthermore, implementing features such as auto-fill and error messages can enhance the user experience and increase the chances of successful form submissions.

For instance, auto-fill can help users complete the form quickly and accurately, while error messages can alert them to any mistakes and provide guidance on correcting them. These minor improvements can make a big difference in the overall effectiveness of your lead generation efforts.

Knowing how to optimize lead forms correctly is essential if you’re looking to generate quality leads and improve conversion rates. Providing a seamless, user-friendly experience can increase the likelihood of capturing valuable customer information and ultimately drive more sales.

What is the psychology behind lead form fields?

The psychology behind lead forms is based on the principle of reciprocity — people are more likely to provide their information if they feel they will receive something of value in return.

Also, the number and type of form fields can impact a user’s perception of the effort required to complete the form, affecting their willingness to provide information. Therefore, it is essential to balance the amount of data collected and the perceived value of the offer to optimize for lead generation and conversion rates.

The placement and wording of the form fields can also affect the user’s willingness to provide their information. For example, using clear and concise language, placing essential fields at the top of the form, and providing visual cues such as asterisks or bolded text can make the form appear less daunting and increase completion rates.

Our digital marketing campaigns impact the metrics that improve your bottom line.

See Our Approach
WebFX has driven the following results for clients:
stat icon

$10 billion

in client revenue
stat icon

24 million

leads for our clients
stat icon

7.14 million

client phone calls

How to optimize lead forms

  1. Position the form above the fold
  2. Ensure you’re using the proper form layout
  3. Decide which fields are mandatory
  4. Clarify the type of information you request
  5. Incorporate a call-to-action (CTA) into the headline
  6. Optimize the form’s submit button
  7. Perform a/b testing on your lead forms
  8. Use conditional logic to shorten the form length
  9. Make sure you have a clear privacy policy in place

1. Position the form above the fold

When you optimize lead forms, one of the first things to do is to move your form above the fold — meaning the form should be visible to users without scrolling down the page.

position lead form above the fold example nutshell homepage

For example, if your landing page has a hero section or lots of content, consider placing the form at the top or in a prominent sidebar to increase visibility and conversions. This technique can significantly increase the number of form submissions, as users are more likely to fill out an accessible form.

However, you must ensure that the form placement doesn’t negatively impact the user experience or make the page look cluttered. A clean, visually appealing design can draw attention to the form without overwhelming the user.

2. Ensure you’re using the proper form layout

Next, make sure to use a suitable form layout. A well-designed form layout can reduce friction and increase the likelihood of form completion. When optimizing a lead form, it is essential to consider factors such as form length, field placement, and visual hierarchy. To find the proper form layout, you can test different variations, use clear and concise labels, and minimize distractions on the page.

lead form layout example

For example, consider grouping related fields and using visual cues to guide users through the form — such as progress bars or step indicators. It’s essential to keep the overall user experience in mind and ensure the form is easy to navigate and understand.

Another critical factor to consider is mobile responsiveness, as more than 96% of users are accessing websites through their mobile devices. You can optimize the lead form for mobile by using larger fonts, minimizing the number of fields, and using a single-column layout.

If you want help creating attractive lead forms, you can use a web form builder to inspire you and simplify the process.

3. Decide which fields are mandatory

Next, you need to consider which fields are mandatory. Setting specific fields as required should be based on the information essential for the business to qualify and follow up with the lead without being overwhelming for your users.

For example, if a business only needs a lead’s name and email address to follow up, those should be the only required fields. You can add other fields as optional or ask for that information later in the sales process. Doing so will improve the user experience and increase the likelihood of users completing the form and becoming leads.

lead form with required fields example

Also, reducing the required fields makes potential customers more likely to complete the form and submit their information. Using smart forms that pre-fill known information can also improve completion rates.

However, the proper form format can depend on the type of information you’re collecting and the intended audience. For instance, a medical form may require more detailed and specific fields than a general contact form for a website.

4. Clarify the type of information you request

Clarifying what information you’re requesting is crucial when you optimize lead forms. You can achieve this by using clear and concise language, minimizing the required fields, and providing helpful explanations or examples for each field.

For example, if you request a phone number, specify whether it should be a mobile or landline number and why you need it. Additionally, consider offering an optional field for additional comments or questions to allow the user to provide any relevant information that may not fit into the required fields.

clarify information you request lead form example

Employ progressive profiling to gather information over time and reduce the number of fields on the initial form. Progressive profiling is a technique that allows you to gradually collect more details on a lead as they interact with your brand. This method reduces form abandonment rates and helps you build a complete lead profile over time.

5. Incorporate a CTA into the headline

One way to increase the effectiveness of your lead form is to incorporate a CTA into the headline to grab attention and encourage action. The headline should clearly state what the user will receive in exchange for filling out the form, and it should be placed prominently at the top of the form to grab their attention.

For example, “Get your free e-book on digital marketing by filling out this form now!” is a clear and compelling headline that lets users know what they will receive and encourages them to take action. You can also use action-oriented language to create a sense of urgency and motivate the user to fill out the form immediately.

incorporate CTA into the headline example

It’s essential to keep the headline concise and avoid using jargon or technical terms that may confuse the user. Additionally, action-oriented language such as “Get” or “Claim” can create a sense of urgency and encourage the user to complete the form.

6. Optimize the form’s submit button

The submit button is a crucial element of your lead form, as it is the final step for users to take action. Optimizing the submit button can increase the chances of users completing the form and converting it into leads.

One of the best ways to optimize your form’s submit button is to make it visually appealing and clear, using action-oriented language that conveys the benefit of submitting the form, such as “Get Your Free Quote Now” or “Sign Me Up for Exclusive Offers.” You can also experiment with the button’s color and placement to see what works best for your target audience.

lead form button example

In addition, consider adding a message or confirmation page after submission to thank users for their information and let them know what to expect next. This step can establish a sense of satisfaction for the user and provide an opportunity to further engage with them by offering additional resources or encouraging them to share the form with others.

7. Use conditional logic to shorten the form length

Conditional logic allows you to show or hide specific form fields based on the user’s previous responses, making the form short, personalized, and relevant to their needs. It can also streamline the form-filling process, making it easier for users to complete the form.

optimize lead form length example

Shorter forms tend to have higher lead conversion rates. Still, it’s crucial to balance the amount of information you collect with the quality of leads when optimizing your form length. To balance the two, consider using conditional logic to hide specific form fields based on the user’s previous responses.

For example, if a user indicates they are not interested in a particular product or service, you can hide the corresponding form fields and only show relevant ones, reducing the overall length of the form and improving the user experience.

By using conditional logic, you create a personalized experience for each user, increasing their likelihood of completing the form. You can also prioritize essential information you need from leads and make those fields required while leaving optional fields for less crucial information.

8. Perform A/B testing on your lead forms

The best method for optimizing lead forms is to perform A/B testing. This evaluation allows you to compare different versions of your lead form and determine which one performs better.

For example, you can test different form lengths, fields, and designs to see which combination results in the highest number of leads generated. Additionally, A/B testing can help identify potential roadblocks or barriers preventing users from completing the lead form.

By analyzing the data collected from A/B testing, you can make informed decisions on improving your lead form and increasing conversions. It is important to regularly perform A/B testing to ensure that your lead form is optimized for the best possible results.

9. Make sure you have a clear privacy policy in place

Optimizing lead forms is crucial for increasing conversions and generating more leads. However, having a clear privacy policy is equally important to ensure your potential customers’ personal information is protected and handled responsibly.

A well-crafted privacy policy can help build trust with your audience and establish your brand as a credible business that prioritizes data protection. It is vital to ensure your privacy policy is easily accessible and transparent about how you collect, use, and protect personal information.

One way to achieve this is by providing a link to your privacy policy on your lead form and making it easily accessible. You can also include a brief statement on the form, assuring users that their information will be confidential:

privacy policy link example

Regularly reviewing and updating your privacy policy to align with current regulations can further demonstrate your commitment to protecting customer data.

37% of marketers say that generating high-quality leads was one of their biggest challenges.

We want to decrease that percentage.

WebFX can help you generate high-quality leads with a customized marketing strategy.

Learn More About Lead Generation Services arrow right
cta63 img

Want to start generating more leads from your website?

At WebFX, we have over 3,212,407 hours of expertise in creating, optimizing, and testing lead-generation forms for our clients. In fact, we have a proven track record of success — we have generated over 24 million leads for clients across many industries.

By partnering with WebFX, you can ensure that your lead generation forms are effective and comply with current privacy regulations, giving your customers peace of mind when submitting their information.

Contact us online or call 888-601-5359 to speak to a strategist about our lead generation services.

Try our free Marketing Calculator

Craft a tailored online marketing strategy! Utilize our free Internet marketing calculator for a custom plan based on your location, reach, timeframe, and budget.

Plan Your Marketing Budget
Marketing Budget Calculator
TO TOP