Web form placement is perhaps one of the most important decisions you will make. This article will go over web form placement and the pros and cons of using popup forms.
Placement of Web Forms
The most important point to remember when creating web forms is this: people really don't like to work. If you make the form hard to find or require a lot of fields to fill-in, it may discourage the potential client from signing up.
Display the web form "above the fold" - put it somewhere near the top of the screen so that the person does not have to scroll down to find it. You can also put another sign-up box near the bottom, nothing says you cannot have more than one form on any page, it all depends on the content.
Use the web form to complement the page, not detract from it. One example is if you have a web page that contains an article. You probably do not want your sign up form front and center as the purpose of the particular page is to get the reader to read your article. In this case, it may be a good idea to add the sign-up box only to the bottom of the page. Reason being that the person is so impressed with what you have to say, they will sign up on the spot. Ok, maybe in my world that is how I'd like it to work
The goal here is to bridge the gap, appeal to your visitors' interests, and provide a way for them to sign up for your list without being pushy or obnoxious.
Should You Use PopUps?
When you hear "pop-ups," you may think of ads or banners, both considered to be annoying and intrusive marketing tactics. But you have to admit that pop-ups work in that they grab the reader's attention, if only for a short time.Many list management programs provide various ways to display web forms in addition to the "in-line" form (the type of form that is stationary on the screen, in line with the content) by the use of pop-ups.
Some of the various types of pop-up windows:
Pop-up - Pops up in a new window
Pop-under - Opens up in a new window underneath the current window (less obtrusive than the regular pop-ups but still may be blocked by pop-up blockers)
Exit pop-up - Like a pop-up but opens when the visitor leaves the page. Though it may be blocked by pop-up blockers, having a creative and stylish exit pop-up window is another way to catch the person before they leave your page or site. Use these sparingly, maybe on a sales page in which you may catch the person who doesn't want to make a purchase but may just sign up for your list to grab a free item. You never know what may work!
Pop-over/hover - Appears to hover within the web page and normally aren't blocked by pop-up blockers as the other may be.
Not sure which one to use? Remember that you are trying to suit your subscribers' needs; what may work great for one site or even one page may not work on another. You can always experiment by trying different kinds of web forms on various pages.
Just remember, the most important take-away is to get your web form in place. You can always go back and add, change, or delete web forms and pop-up windows, but the most important thing is to get it up there!
Copyright 2007 Lisa Wells. All rights reserved.
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