E-mail Etiquette & Web Site Forms

Several times each day I get an inquiry through the Web site forms on one of my various sites that clearly does not seem to be from a business professional. But it turns out they are… or they think they are? These are generally folks asking questions or for my assistance.

Because you use a Web site form, does that mean E-mail Etiquette does not apply?

Most ironically, on this site, these inquiries are those asking Business E-mail Etiquette questions about something someone else is doing or that happened at work. It is clear they are not interested in the topic of Business E-mail Etiquette — they are looking for that “gotcha!” moment.

How do I know this? As they look to E-mail Etiquette to resolve the situation that has them upset, they use no E-mail Etiquette to ask an E-mail Etiquette Expert about the situation at hand!

In my 16 years in online consulting, my experiences have proven out time and time again, that those who communicate via Web forms with no concern to communicating as an educated professional; are not profitable customers. There is a correlation.

Business E-mail Etiquette applies to completing business related Web site forms too. Whether it be contacting new suppliers, partners, associates or just getting the services and products you need to run your business. How you choose to approach a Web site owner, the terms you use, the skills and education you decide to implement — or not, will determine how you are perceived by the person on the receiving end of your e-mail.

Will they want to partner with you?
Will they want to have you as a customer?
Will they want to do business with you?

When making contact through a Web site form, you have the opportunity to impress and encourage a response to your inquiry. When you type in all lower case, do not spell check and make demands simply based on the premise that you “are the customer” or that the site owner “needs you more than you need them”, realize that some Web site owners may choose to not encourage you to become a customer/partner/affiliate — by not responding to your request.

Technology is nothing if not a bunch of details, knowledge and skills each of us has to embrace in order to accomplish our goals. To think that not communicating properly, with knowledge, understanding and courtesy when it comes to your business Web form requests, is a lack of judgement your competitors will thank you for.

Some More Info for You:

1. Web Site Etiquette