What? WHAT!?!? There have to be required fields on contact forms, right? There have been required fields on contact forms for two decades. Nothing could have changed so quickly that they have become unnecessary, right?

Actually, they're no longer necessary. In fact, they're a hindrance. Here's why:

People aren't stupid

right way

wrong way

Treat people as if they know what they're doing.

Different contact strokes for different folks

Give them options. Allow them to select their preference. The form above is a price quote request. Are you going to be mailing them the quote? If not, why would you require their address? They are trying to do business with you. They wouldn't be on the page if they weren't.

The NSA killed data collection for many

Why require them to do something that they simply don't want to do in order to do something simple like find out of the price of your merchandise?

It's an intro, not an interrogation

You will need more information from them eventually in order to perform the transaction, but this is just the first step. This is a sign of willingness to start the engagement process. Just as you wouldn't expect a car salesman to ask you for your address the moment you walk onto the lot, you shouldn't expect the website to do it, either.

If you're going to pay for people to visit your site through PPC or other means, make sure you don't do the things that prevent them from allowing you to contact them.