Think Build Implement Repeat
London, UK +44 7367 067226
WhatsApp FOLLOW f in X
WordPress

What Happens After the Form Is Submitted

Last updated:

Speed decides it

An enquiry answered within an hour converts substantially better than one answered the next day. By the third day most are gone.

Website enquirers have usually contacted two or three businesses. The first substantive reply frequently wins, regardless of price.

Acknowledge immediately, automatically

  1. An automatic reply within seconds, saying it arrived
  2. When they will hear from a person, specifically
  3. Something useful in the meantime — a relevant page, a guide
  4. A phone number, in case it is urgent

Route to a person, not a mailbox

A shared inbox that nobody owns is where enquiries wait. Name the person, with a backup, and check the routing works.

Automatic CRM creation removes the risk of an enquiry being read on a phone and forgotten.

Follow up more than once

  • One follow-up after two or three days
  • One more after a week, with something useful rather than a chase
  • Then stop, and add them to a longer nurture if appropriate

Most businesses follow up once or not at all. The second and third contact converts a meaningful proportion.

Measure the response time

Time from submission to first human reply, tracked. Most businesses believe theirs is faster than it is.

Measuring it is usually enough to improve it, because it becomes visible.

Frequently asked questions

How fast should we respond?

Within an hour during working time is a strong standard. Within four hours is acceptable. Next day is losing business.

Should the auto-reply be from a person?

From a real person's name and address, saying it is automatic. That reads better than a no-reply address.

How many follow-ups?

Two after the initial reply. More than that becomes a nuisance.

What about out-of-hours enquiries?

Acknowledge automatically with a specific time for the human reply, and meet it first thing.

Keep reading

Enquiries answered when someone gets round to it?

Response time is usually the biggest conversion lever available. Easy to measure and easy to fix.

Book a free 30-minute call Get a project estimate WhatsApp us

Related services

What we build for problems like this one

Web DevelopmentBusiness Automation