Before You Click Submit... | Business Email Etiquette

Any contact you have with others using your business e-mail address will reflect on your business. If you complete a Web site form and do not type with proper capitalization or check for typos, your inquiry most likely will not be taken as seriously as you desire.

Regardless of if you are on the customer side of the fence, your business e-mail address identifies your business. Especially if you are an irate customer as that will reflect how you communicate when not pleased. You will still want to type in a professional manner — albeit with a stern tone, while stating facts and details leaving emotion out of the message. You just never know who your customers (current, future, potential) may be.

When completing form inquiries in regard to services or products for your business needs, that’s where you really need to review your form inputs. Be sure your name is properly capitalized, e-mail address is correct and everything typed as though you were sending that request through the snail mail on your business’ letterhead. You not only want to show what a wonderful customer you are going to be but one who understands how to communicate efficiently as well.

Do not doubt for a minute that Web site owners click the delete button when they receive business inquiries from those who look like they are from a grade schooler. Or what do you think it says about a potential partner/customer when they contact a provider via their site form asking for information that is easily available on their site with only a click or two of effort?

Take your time and ensure you are giving the best impression possible no matter if you are making an inquiry as a customer or on behalf of your business. Here’s a little tip… When taking this extra time, sites that require you login, may time you out due to inactivity. You can also get logged out because you get distracted or have to take a phone call — that happens to me all the time! You’ll click the Submit button and have to relogin loosing all the comments or questions you just spent all that time entering into the appropriate field.

I have gotten into the habit of copying (hi-lite, right click, copy) all the content in the comments or description field before I click Submit on any form. This way if I experience submission problems, I can relogin and simply paste the content back into that field and save some time. You still may have to enter your personal details but the actual comments are what I take time most to ensure are clear, concise and typo-free. Take the time and use this tip and impress all you communicate with!