A website form can help collect the basics while you are on a job, but a long questionnaire can put customers off. Ask for enough information to decide whether to follow up, not every detail needed for a final quote.
Ask only what helps you respond
Start with the customer's name, preferred contact method, broad location, type of work and a short description. If the job needs an initial photo, allow an optional upload and explain what views are useful. Do not request date of birth, payment details or unrelated personal information.
Set expectations beside the form
Say whether the form is a request for a conversation, a site visit or a formal quotation. Explain that a photo or short description may not be enough to confirm a price. Give a realistic response time and do not imply that submitting the form books a slot unless it actually does.
Make it work on a phone
Use clear labels, a small number of required fields and input types that make mobile entry easier. Test the form yourself, including its confirmation message and the email or system that receives submissions. A “Thank you” page should say what happens next; otherwise customers may submit again because they are unsure it worked.
Tell visitors how you use submitted information in a clear privacy notice. UK data protection requirements depend on what you collect and how you use it; the ICO's small business data protection guidance is a useful starting point.
For a simple call-first alternative, see our trade website contact page guide and guide to writing a trade quote.