Want to know how to add a contact form in WordPress directory listings? We'll walk you through the process in just three steps!
Connecting site visitors with listing owners can be tough. However, it’s also essential to making sure people can actively use your directory. So it’s important to know how to best add a contact form in WordPress listings.
Fortunately, this task can be simple. By understanding each step of the process, you can help your directory users reach out to one another.
In this article, we’ll cover a few reasons why you should be adding contact forms to your WordPress directory. Then, we’ll walk you through three steps to help you get started. Let’s dive right in!
The benefits of adding a contact form
If you run a business directory, you probably understand the importance of connections. Most users may want to reach out to the businesses listed on your website. Meanwhile, your listing owners will want to reach new customers.
Fortunately, you can help them connect by adding a contact form. This feature makes it easier for people to use your site. They just have to find a listing they like and fill out the form.
As such, you can provide a better user experience to your visitors. Providing direct business opportunities may also help your listing owners. This can lead to reduced churn rates for those customers. You may find that this improves your reputation as well.
To add a contact form, all you need to do is change a few settings within Business Directory Plugin. This will enable you to place the form below your listings. You'll also have the opportunity to customize it to better serve your audience.
How to connect visitors and listing owners with contact forms
If you want to add a contact form in WordPress listings, you'll be pleased to learn it's easy. Let's look at the three main steps.
Step 1: Include the contact form under your listings
Let's start with the basics: adding the form itself. You'll need to do this before you change any other features. Start by going to Directory → Settings → Listings → Contact Form:
At the top, you'll see a field labeled Include listing contact form on listing pages?. Make sure you have checked the box next to it.
As you can see, this will be a private message. There are two benefits to this. For one thing, it creates a direct connection between users.
Additionally, it keeps the message between the visitors and business owners only. This means your users can send contact forms without other listing owners finding out about it. As such, it can be very important if you're running a business directory with competing services.
When you're ready, make sure to save your changes. Now, the contact form will automatically display under the listings.
However, that's not all you can do here. You can also make it so that you receive an email when a user submits a contact form. Start by switching to the Email section and scroll down. Then, just check the box for A contact message is sent to a listing's owner:
Now, you'll be able to stay on top of those communications. This can be helpful if you want to find out which listings get the most interaction.
Step 2: Decide if you will require users to be logged in
Now, let's look at ways that you can cut down on submission spam. Fake users are annoying to listing owners because they waste their time.
However, they may also affect other users if they cause a slow response from businesses. So limiting the amount of spam can make your site more professional and easier to use.
One way to do this is by requiring users to log in before submitting a form. This way, only visitors that have gone through the signup process will be able to contact businesses on your site.
On the Contact Form settings page that we looked at earlier, check the box labeled Require a login for using the contact form?. Then, save your settings.
Now only registered users can see the form. When they view a listing while logged in, they'll see something like this:
In addition to preventing spam, this can increase your user base. Curious visitors will need to sign up to contact businesses. Once they have an account, they may be more likely to return to your site next time they need something.
Another reason to use this feature is privacy. For directories such as alumni groups, listing owners might not want strangers to contact them. As such, this simple add contact form WordPress function can be valuable.
Step 3: Limit the number of form submissions per day
Lastly, here's one more way to prevent spam submissions. If there's no limit on how many contact forms someone can submit, they may send a lot of fake ones. This could be annoying for listing owners and it might lower your retention rates.
To prevent this, go to the final setting on the Contact Form page. You'll notice that the default value here is 0. This indicates that there is no limit.
However, you can click on that box to add a new number. This can prevent spam without limiting your users.
Even though this process is simple, it makes it easier for others to effectively use your directory. Consider also collecting feedback from users if they feel like they need to submit more forms than what is allowed.
Conclusion
Sometimes it can be hard for your directory users to reach out to one another. Fortunately, you can make things easier for them. By adjusting your add contact form WordPress settings, you can start creating more lucrative connections.
In this article, we covered three steps to adding contact forms to your listings:
- Activate the contact form in the Business Directory plugin.
- Decide if you want users to log in before contacting businesses.
- Cut down on spam by limiting submissions.
Using Business Directory plugin is the easiest way to start connecting customers with listing owners. Check out what else our premium program can help you do!
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