I think we underestimate how important it is to have the right kind of contact info on our sites.

Most freelancers understand the importance of having an email address somewhere on their site, but a lot of us miss the importance of creating a deliberate, contact experience so that the last reason a prospect has for not contacting you is finding the method they find most comfortable.

Just think about how frustrated you get trying to fill out a survey or contact customer service if the information is hard to find. Now imagine being a in that position from a client perspective…desperately trying to find someone who can help you with your business problem.

It should be easy to see how a poor contact experience can start your relationship off on the wrong foot, if it gets started at all…and that’s the big risk.

Most clients, at least the quality ones, can simply say “no” to your services. Even if they don’t end up signing with another freelancer, they can always opt to put the project off until next week, next quarter, or indefinitely. That’s why your job when it comes to contact info is to make things as simple as possible, take as much responsibility as possible, and treat them to a contact experience that’s a welcome mat to working with you as a freelancer.

This is a given, but it’s worth repeating it…more options mean more contacts.

Some clients like engaging via email, some phone, some social. Make sure you’re hitting on as many of these as possible, and that you’re including them (along with calls to action to use them) in multiple areas of your site. Use options including…

One way to really let a prospect know you’re serious is to get the interview process started before it even starts. On a few pages of my site, I have a survey that asks about goals, budget, and timeline…basically starting my client interview process right from the jump.

This lets prospects know that I’m serious, interested in what they’re doing, and am ready to start learning about them ASAP. An invitation to send over their problem or some project info is a nice reminder that you’re more than prepared to help them with their problems.

This is business, but it doesn’t mean you have to be bland.

I can legitimately say I have fun talking and working with most of my clients, and I KNOW (from all the gossip I hear) that they see me as a relief. I’m not even a super-friendly person in my work, but I know being approachable and open in what I do is a perk for people stuck in dry or contentious office environments.

That’s why lately, I’ve been trying to make my contact invitations more open and relaxed by using less formal language (like using “you” more often.)

This week, try diversifying your contact options and pay attention to any changes you see, even in your site analytics. That’ll be really useful feedback in building a site that brings in business while you’re sleeping.

Megan