We’re back with day 16 of the Build-A-Blog workshop. Now that our website looks almost ready to go, we need to add a few pages in order to better serve our audience. The first one that we want to configure is the “contact us” page… making it easier for readers to get in touch! 
Pages v. Posts
In WordPress, the general “lingo” can be a bit confusing to a new user. While all of your actual content is going to be posted day after day by “adding a new post,” there is another very different option available called “adding a new page.” The difference is that posts are a lot more dynamic in nature, whereas pages are dedicated static locations on your website where you can send visitors. Essentially, think of pages as posts that are more visible and permanent on your blog. This is a convenient feature to you, because it allows us to make dedicated links to things like a terms of service, contact, advertise or about page. Today, we are focusing on this “contact us” page.
Go ahead and log into your admin panel, then navigate to “Pages” -> “Add New”
How to Design an Effective Contact Page
The contact page will serve as an important medium between you, the blogger, and the reader. Blogging is meant to be informal, so having a way for your readers to communicate back and forth with you is important. One thing to note is that you need not have your own email listed on the contact page, as you can use a script to mask the sending address and generate a contact form.
I would recommend having a few things on your contact page, and you can view the Net Fool’s contact page as a sample. Mine is actually very very old (haven’t updated it ever, all the way back since version one!)… but it still works like a charm. A few things to consider: instant messaging screennames, email addresses, name, nickname, social media IDs, live assistance and/or a contact form.
Want to install a contact form on your website? Simply download a WordPress plugin and upload it into the /wp-content/plugins/ folder through the use of your FTP client. Then, activate it through your WordPress admin section and add your form to your new page. My favoties are: CForms II, Contact Form 7 and SimpleModal.
Need help? Let me know! Get those Contact pages up and running! 
-Jimvesting
Loading ...
Contact form 7 works great on all of my blogs
I have put in my contact form.
I ended up using Contact form 7 as i found that the easiest to use.
I use a contact from plugin for my contact page. Actually reading this post has made me go back and edit the contact pages for my blogs.
Hi,
Thanks for the tip.
I use the contact form 7 and works very well.
I will see all the rest of yours posts.
Best regards,
Felipe
I have been to some great sites that had no contact form/page. It was a hassle trying to get in touch with them and subsequently would give up…an easy to find contact page is a must!
Twitter: @motorbeam
May 28, 2009 at 10:33 am #
Contact form is important, if some one wants to advertise thats the only way to reach.
I never heard of contact form 7 and simiple modal, I use cforms II though and love it.
Looks like you’ve been busy over here man, I gotta go back and catch up.
I like having my real e-mail on the contact page. It makes me seem more accessible. Forms are too… formal…
I really need a separate contact page on my blog. I started out having a form on my about page (bad practice, I know…but I was just starting out), but now I need to actually create an effective Contact Us page. Perhaps when I get more authors to my blog…
I used to use Contact Form 7, but it always broke for whatever reason. I completely reinstalled it at one point, and just got a PHP error. I know quite a bit about WordPress, so I’m sure its not a dumb error on my part. I supposed I’ll have to find a new plugin.
Great tips, I love the detail insight for the post vs. page.
Since adding a contact form to my site I have had people contact me. This sounds like a completely obvious statement to make and it is! Without a contact page no-one can get hold of you, it’s very valuable.
I use WordPress and have found some great, simple contact form plugins.
There’s quite a few nifty plugins out there to make this sort of thing nice and easy.
I jumped the gun on this step and went with contact form 7 also.
Twitter: @melvinblog
June 1, 2009 at 2:41 am #
i think you also need to add some more on the contact page like the twitter account, facebook and etc…
I think the contact page from standard worpdress plugin is more than enough =)
Automate your ClickBank storefront
I use contact form plugin from wordpress. Choosing white color make it simple and even corporate.
yup this site very helpfull for me
Slamet Rahardjo´s last blog ..Weeds Intro – Season 2 Episode 2 – Death Cab for Cutie
I actually did this step already could it be am I starting to get this whole blogging thing. This is my first ever website and I personally think Jim deserves those referrals for taking the time to teach all of us how to start a blog and potentially add a second income to us all.