Creating Contact Forms for Websites: Complete Guide 2026

Creating a contact form for your website is essential for any business wanting to reach online customers. It's often the first point of contact between you and potential clients - and first impressions count. In this guide, you'll learn exactly how to set up an effective contact form that actually generates leads.

At LUNIDEV, we notice that many SME owners underestimate how important a good contact form is. It's not just about placing a few fields on your website. A strategically designed contact form can make the difference between a visitor who clicks away and a visitor who becomes a customer.

Why do you need a contact form on your website?

Before you start creating a contact form, it's important to understand why this is crucial for your business:

Professional appearance: A contact form shows that you're serious about customer service. It gives visitors confidence that their inquiry will reach the right person.

Lead generation: Every completed form is a potential customer. By making it easy to get in touch, you increase the chance of new business.

Structured communication: Instead of random emails, you get organized information that helps you respond quickly and adequately.

24/7 availability: Customers can get in touch at any time, even outside office hours.

Which fields should you include in your contact form?

The secret of a good contact form lies in balance: ask for enough information to be useful, but not so much that people drop out. Here are the essential fields:

Basic fields (always required)

• Name: For personal communication
• Email address: For the response
• Subject or message type: Helps with routing inquiries
• Message: The actual question or comment

Optional fields (depending on your business)

• Phone number: Only if you frequently call customers
• Company name: For B2B services
• Website: If relevant to your services
• Budget: For project-based businesses

At LUNIDEV, we deliberately keep our contact forms simple. More fields mean less conversion - studies show that each additional field can reduce conversion by 10-15%.

How do you create a contact form for your website?

There are different ways to create a contact form, depending on your technical skills and budget:

Option 1: Website builders (beginners)

Platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress.com have built-in form builders. These are user-friendly but offer limited customization options.

Advantages: No technical knowledge required, quick to implement

Disadvantages: Limited functionality, often provider branding

Option 2: WordPress plugins (intermediate level)

Plugins like Contact Form 7, WPForms, or Gravity Forms offer more flexibility for WordPress websites.

Advantages: Many customization options, affordable

Disadvantages: Requires basic WordPress knowledge

Option 3: External form services (flexible)

Services like Typeform, JotForm, or Google Forms can be embedded on any website.

Advantages: Powerful features, good analytics

Disadvantages: Monthly costs, external dependency

Option 4: Custom development (professional)

A tailor-made form integrated into your website design.

Advantages: Fully customized to your needs, perfect integration

Disadvantages: Higher investment, technical expertise required

Contact form creation tips for better conversion

A contact form that looks good is just the beginning. Here are practical tips to get more people to fill out your form:

Design and user experience

• Make it visually appealing: Use sufficient white space and ensure consistency with your website design
• Ensure mobile-friendly design: More than 60% of web traffic comes from mobile devices
• Use clear labels: Visitors should immediately understand what to fill in
• Add a clear call-to-action: "Send message" works better than just "Send"

Psychological tricks

• Show expected response time: "We respond within 24 hours" builds trust
• Use social proof: "More than 500 satisfied customers went before you"
• Make privacy clear: A short privacy statement below the form

Technical optimization

• Ensure fast loading times: A slow form drives visitors away
• Implement error handling: Clear error messages help users
• Test on different devices: Check that everything works on desktop, tablet, and smartphone

What does a contact form cost for your website?

The costs for a contact form vary greatly depending on your chosen solution:

Free options

• Google Forms: €0 (limited styling)
• WordPress Contact Form 7: €0 (basic functionality)
• Website builder standard forms: Often free with subscription

Paid services

• Premium WordPress plugins: €50-200 per year
• External form services: €10-50 per month
• Custom development: €500-2500 one-time

At LUNIDEV, we often advise SMEs to start with an affordable solution and upgrade later as needs grow. For a simple contact form, you don't need to invest hundreds of euros right away.

Best contact form solutions for businesses

For Belgian SMEs, these are the most practical options in 2026:

For beginners: WPForms

Price: From €39 per year

Suitable for: WordPress websites, small businesses

Advantages: Drag-and-drop builder, good templates

For growing businesses: Typeform

Price: From €25 per month

Suitable for: Businesses that want to generate many leads

Advantages: Interactive forms, extensive analytics

For professional websites: Custom solution

Price: €800-1500 one-time

Suitable for: Businesses with specific requirements

Advantages: Fully customized, perfect integration

Contact form trends in 2026

The world of web forms is evolving rapidly. Here are the key trends for 2026:

Conversational interfaces

Forms that feel like a conversation perform better than traditional fields. Think chatbot-like interfaces that collect information step by step.

AI-powered validation

Smart forms that provide real-time feedback and help with correctly filling in data.

Privacy-first design

With stricter privacy regulations, transparency about data use becomes increasingly important. Modern forms clearly show what happens to the data.

Multi-step forms

Longer forms are divided into smaller steps to lower the psychological barrier.

Avoiding common mistakes

Learn from the mistakes other businesses make:

Too many fields: Keep it simple, only ask for what you really need

Unclear error messages: "Error in form" doesn't help anyone - be specific

No confirmation: Always let people know the message was sent

Poor mobile experience: Always test on smartphone

No follow-up strategy: A form is just the beginning of the conversation

Legal aspects in Belgium

As a Belgian business, you must consider privacy legislation:

• Informed consent: Visitors must know what their data is used for
• Opt-in for marketing: No newsletters without explicit permission
• Right to be forgotten: Ensure you can delete data on request
• Data retention: Don't keep data longer than necessary

Conclusion: Start with your contact form today

Creating an effective contact form for your website doesn't have to be complex or expensive. Start with the basics - name, email, and message - and gradually build based on your experiences.

The most important success factor isn't the technology, but understanding your target audience. What do your potential customers want to know? How can they most easily get in touch? Answer these questions and you've already done a large part of the work.

Ready to start but want professional help? At LUNIDEV, we help Belgian SMEs develop websites that actually work, including effective contact forms that generate leads. Contact us for a no-obligation conversation about your possibilities.