If you run an online store or rely on your website to bring in leads and sales, you already know how important forms are to your business. They can either boost your success or hold you back.

But if you’re just starting your business and figuring out your strategy, you might not realize how much of a difference website forms can make.

According to a study by Salesforce, “companies that are great at lead nurturing generate 50% more sales-ready leads.” That’s huge!

Poorly designed lead generation forms can scare customers away. But if you create forms that are easy to use and well-designed, your conversion rates can soar.

This isn’t something you should leave to chance.

Your efforts in content and inbound marketing won’t pay off if your landing pages aren’t set up to turn visitors into customers. It’s like trying to fill a bucket with holes—it just doesn’t work.

Let’s explore how you can design and optimize lead generation forms to grow your business, get more sales, and make the most of your marketing efforts.

What is a Conversion Form?

A conversion form is a tool that collects the information you need from users—nothing more, nothing less. It’s a key part of turning website visitors into leads or customers.

When your lead generation form isn’t working well, it can hurt all your marketing efforts.

Take chatbots, for example. Many businesses use chatbots to guide visitors and send quality leads to their landing pages. But if your landing page form is clunky or poorly designed, you’ll lose those valuable leads.

Every business is unique, and so are their forms, but benchmarks can help you see how your forms stack up. Larry Kim shared some helpful stats on the WordStream blog:

The average landing page conversion rate across industries is 2.35%.

The top 25% of landing pages convert at 5.31% or higher.

To be in the top 10%, aim for conversion rates of 11.45% or more.

By improving your forms, you can climb to the top and make the most of every lead!

9 Proven Tips for Creating a Winning Lead Conversion Form

Want to create a form that turns visitors into customers? Follow these nine tips to design a great lead conversion form:

1. Use the Above-the-Fold Space Wisely

Place your form in a spot visitors see right away—no scrolling required.

2. Make the Value Clear

Tell users why they should fill out your form. What’s in it for them?

3. Only Ask for What You Need

Keep it short. Don’t overwhelm people with too many questions.

4. Stick to a Single Column

A single-column form is easier to read and fill out.

5. Remove Distractions

Keep the focus on your form. Avoid clutter or anything that pulls attention away.

6. Have a Strong Call-to-Action (CTA)

Use clear, action-driven text like “Get Your Free Guide” or “Sign Up Now.”

7. Use Inline Form Validation

Show users real-time feedback, like when they’ve entered an invalid email address.

8. Include Social Proof

Add testimonials, ratings, or trust badges to show others have benefited.

9. Explain What Happens Next

Let users know what to expect after submitting the form—like a confirmation email or a download link.

9 Effective Strategies to Create High-Converting Forms (with Examples)

1. Use the Above-the-Fold Space Wisely

The “above the fold” area of your website is where visitors spend the most time. This is the perfect spot for your form to maximize visibility and engagement.

Example: KISSmetrics places its forms and CTAs above the fold on landing pages, ensuring users don’t have to scroll to take action. Their forms often include an offer like “Get your free trial today!” prominently displayed.

Make sure your form is close to your CTA, and include key branding elements like your company name and logo for credibility.

2. Make the Value Proposition Clear

Users won’t complete your form unless they know what’s in it for them. Clearly state the benefit of filling it out.

Example: Square’s signup page has a simple, direct value proposition: “Start accepting payments today.” The form immediately communicates what users will gain.

Other examples:

Contact form: “We’re here to help! Get a response within 24 hours.”

Contest form: “Enter to win a $500 gift card!”

Survey form: “Help us improve, and get 10% off your next purchase.”

3. Only Ask for What You Need

Don’t scare users off with too many questions. Ask only for the essentials. Research shows shorter forms lead to higher completion rates.

Example: A company reduced its contact form fields from 11 to 4 and saw a 120% increase in conversions without losing quality leads.

If you’re offering a newsletter signup, for example, just ask for an email address instead of a full name and phone number.

4. Use a Single Column

Single-column forms are easier to read and fill out compared to multi-column forms. Aligning fields and labels on the left creates a smooth flow for users.

Example: Many e-commerce checkout pages use single-column forms to guide users through steps like entering shipping information and payment details. This approach reduces errors and increases conversions.

5. Remove Distractions

Keep users focused on your form by removing unnecessary links, images, or other distractions. For longer forms, a clean, minimal design works best.

Example: Amazon simplifies its checkout pages by removing related product links, banners, or other elements that could draw attention away from the task.

For simple forms like email signups, distractions may not matter as much, but for complex forms, a distraction-free design is key.

6. Add a Strong Call-to-Action (CTA)

Your CTA should tell users exactly what to do and why. Use action-driven language that highlights value.

Example: Treehouse’s signup form CTA says, “Start your free trial,” immediately signaling value and encouraging action.

Other CTA examples:

“Download your free guide now.”

“Get instant access to exclusive tips.”

“Join 10,000+ happy customers today!”

7. Use Inline Form Validation

Users appreciate immediate feedback when filling out a form. Highlight errors as they happen to save time and reduce frustration.

Example: If a user enters an invalid email address, the form displays a red alert: “Please enter a valid email.” This way, users don’t have to go back and correct errors after submitting.

8. Add Social Proof

Social proof, like testimonials or reviews, builds trust and reassures users that completing the form is worthwhile.

Example: FriendBuy added a testimonial next to its signup form: “Loved by over 1,000 satisfied users!” This simple addition increased form completions by 15%.

You can also display ratings, trust badges, or quotes from happy customers.

9. Explain What Happens Next

Once users submit the form, let them know what to expect. A clear follow-up message builds confidence and prevents confusion.

Example: After submitting a contact form, a business might display a message like: “Thank you! We’ve received your message and will get back to you within 24 hours.”

For e-books or guides, provide instant access: “Check your email for the download link!”

Another great way to use your form’s success page is by guiding customers to their next step. For example, many e-commerce sites display recommendations like “Customers who bought this also bought” after an order is submitted.

This strategy not only keeps customers engaged but also increases the chances of upselling or cross-selling.

Examples of Next Steps:

1. E-commerce sites: Suggest related products or offer discounts on the next purchase.

2. Service providers: Direct users to book a consultation or explore premium packages.

3. Content creators: Provide links to additional resources or exclusive content.

While filling out a form isn’t always exciting for customers, there are plenty of ways to make it easier and more engaging.

A well-designed lead generation form can do wonders—not just for the number of leads you get but also for their quality. With thoughtful design and clear guidance, your forms can become a powerful tool to grow your business.

Seven Proven Digital Marketing Strategies to Increase Website Traffic and Drive Engagement

Did you know that 63% of businesses cite generating traffic and leads as their top marketing challenge? In a world where competition for online visibility is fiercer than ever, driving traffic to your website and keeping visitors engaged is critical to growing your brand.

Luckily, we’ve got you covered! Here are seven proven strategies to boost your website traffic and skyrocket user engagement. Let’s dive in!

1. Optimize Your Website for Search Engines (SEO)

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) remains one of the most effective ways to drive organic traffic to your site. With 68% of all online experiences beginning with a search engine, optimizing your website is non-negotiable.

Tips for Better SEO:

Perform Keyword Research: Use tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Google Keyword Planner to find keywords your audience is searching for.

Optimize Meta Tags: Ensure your meta titles and descriptions include relevant keywords and are enticing to users.

Focus on Page Speed: 40% of users abandon a site if it takes more than 3 seconds to load. Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to improve performance.

Create High-Quality Content: Write comprehensive, informative, and engaging articles that answer user queries.

2. Leverage Social Media Marketing

Social media platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok are powerhouses for traffic generation, with 4.8 billion active users globally. They’re ideal for connecting with your audience, building trust, and driving clicks to your website.

Strategies to Implement:

Post Regularly: Consistent posting keeps your brand top-of-mind.

Use Hashtags Wisely: Increase your content’s discoverability by using trending and niche-specific hashtags.

Engage with Your Audience: Reply to comments, participate in discussions, and build relationships.

Run Contests and Giveaways: These can encourage shares and increase your reach.

3. Create a Blog with Evergreen Content

Companies that blog regularly generate 67% more leads than those that don’t. Blogging not only drives traffic but also establishes your authority in the industry.

What to Write About:

How-To Guides: Teach users how to solve a problem related to your niche.

Case Studies: Showcase success stories from clients.

Listicles: Create actionable lists that solve specific pain points.

Industry News: Share updates and insights to keep your audience informed.

4. Invest in Paid Advertising

Organic reach is powerful, but paid ads can significantly amplify your visibility. According to Google, businesses make an average of $2 in revenue for every $1 spent on Google Ads.

Platforms to Use:

Google Ads: For search engine visibility.

Social Media Ads: Platforms like Facebook and Instagram offer highly targeted advertising options.

Programmatic Advertising: Use AI-driven platforms to serve ads to the right audience at the right time.

Tips for Effective Ads:

Craft Compelling Headlines: Grab attention with benefit-driven language.

Include Strong CTAs: Use phrases like “Learn More,” “Shop Now,” or “Sign Up Today.”

Test Ad Formats: Experiment with video ads, carousel ads, and image ads to see what resonates.

5. Implement Email Marketing Campaigns

Email marketing has an ROI of $36 for every $1 spent, making it one of the most cost-effective marketing strategies.

How to Maximize Email Success:

Segment Your List: Personalize content based on user behavior and demographics.

Use Engaging Subject Lines: Increase open rates with intriguing headlines.

Add Value: Share exclusive content, offers, or discounts to keep subscribers engaged.

Automate Campaigns: Use platforms like Mailchimp or HubSpot to streamline workflows and follow-ups.

6. Utilize Influencer Marketing

Influencers have the power to drive engagement and traffic to your site. In fact, 49% of consumers depend on influencer recommendations to make purchasing decisions.

How to Collaborate:

1. Micro-Influencers: Partner with influencers who have a smaller but highly engaged audience.

2. Sponsored Posts: Share your message via influencer-created content.

3. Affiliate Programs: Offer commission-based incentives for influencers to promote your products or services.

4. Host Webinars and Live Events

Webinars are an excellent way to engage your audience and provide value. They also generate 40% higher conversion rates than other forms of content marketing.

How to Run a Successful Webinar:

1. Pick a Relevant Topic: Address common challenges or trends in your industry.

2. Promote the Event: Use email campaigns, social media posts, and ads to drive registrations.

3. Engage Attendees: Use polls, Q&A sessions, and live chats to keep viewers interested.

4. Provide a CTA: Encourage attendees to take the next step, such as downloading a resource or scheduling a consultation.

Ready to Drive More Traffic and Engagement?

There you have it—seven proven digital marketing strategies to boost your website traffic and enhance user engagement. Start by implementing two or three tactics that align with your business goals and monitor the results closely.

Even small improvements in traffic and engagement can lead to significant growth in your brand’s visibility and revenue. Now, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and take action!

FAQs

What is the fastest way to increase website traffic?

Paid ads and social media promotions are the quickest ways to drive traffic to your site.

How long does SEO take to show results?

SEO typically takes 3-6 months to show significant results, but it’s worth the investment for long-term growth.

Which social media platform is best for driving traffic?

It depends on your audience. Instagram and TikTok are great for younger demographics, while LinkedIn is ideal for B2B companies.

What tools can help me with email marketing?

Popular tools include Mailchimp, HubSpot, Constant Contact, and ActiveCampaign.

How do I measure the success of my digital marketing efforts?

Use analytics platforms like Google Analytics, social media insights, and email campaign reports to track traffic, engagement, and conversions.