Nearly every website has a “Contact Us” page. They’re ubiquitous, and they’re often a throw-away.
Name, address and phone number go without saying. A fax number can also be included, but is optional. Here are other things that should be included on the Contact Page:
Pictures
You should include a picture of the building, if for no other reason so people will recognize what they’re looking for after seeing your website. If you don’t want to put a picture of your building, at least put a picture of your sign.
Map/Directions
So many companies forget this, but including directions is vital. You can use the map provided by Google, Yahoo or Bing. The interactive map works best. Also, if your place of business is difficult to find or tricky in any way, include some directions written out to help customers get there.
Email address
Not everyone is willing to rush right out or even pick up the phone to call for more information. But they’re right there looking at your website, and they’re thinking about your product. Tell them who their customer service agent is. Putting a name to your customer service agent is advisable and ensures clarity about who customers should talk to and that inquiries go to one specific person. If several people will share the responsibilities of handling customer service inquires, something like “customer.service@yourcompanyname.com” is acceptable. Just make sure those emails are answered in a timely manner.
Social media links
This is an opportunity for your customers and potential customers to discover how to communicate with you. In the era of social media, it is absolutely essential to let them know where they can get additional information about your product and company. In addition to LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook, make sure to include your blog, if you have one.
Optional: Contact Form
Depending upon your business and industry, it might be advisable to include a contact form with a call to action. This allows you to collect email addresses for future campaigns and special offers.
There are many issues you should look into before starting any business. We make it our mission to make it as easy as possible. If you need information on launching your website, we’re here to help!