Do you think it's better to have a booking form directly from the website, or via personal email?

They absolutely make it easier to follow your directions because you can control what’s required on a form. Email is a blank page. There’s no way to control what is sent to you. And I am sure you know how bad some are at reading and following directions.

I am fortunate that most of my inquiries are high-quality through whichever way they approach. That said, the inquiries that come through my website booking form are indisputably the highest quality on average. Now, I think to a large extent this is a self selection process, but that may be fine.

For me the booking form eliminates confusion, and provides clarity in what you expect from your session.

as long as there is some place to leave comments.

....if people following directions is a big issue then a form might be the best option as you can have tons of mandatory fields with the information needed.  

But that only really works if yours is encrypted as well. Many clients don’t fully trust contact forms for this reason as they have no assurance that their information is secure.
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It seems that nearly every provider who offers a contact form also provides an email option. From what I’ve heard, many have received similar pushback regarding forms. For some, filling out a form can make the interaction feel overly transactional, which takes away from the illusion of arranging an actual date. There’s definitely something to be said for that perspective.
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That said, time wasters are simply part of doing business as you’re unlikely to eliminate them entirely. I still hear from providers who regularly receive messages like “u avail 2nite?” with no additional info. I cant imagine how annoying that must be.

It doesn’t matter what business you run. Inevitably you get people who don’t follow directions. I get annoyed myself when procedure isn’t followed.  I recommend you hire an assistant to go through requests. Of course you will make less unless you raise rates slightly to cover admin.

While I know that you (QB) don't use it for screening, in general I reach out by PM on P411 whenever a lady has an account there. I politely ask if she accepts it for clearance to see her and, if not, what else she requires.  

I prefer clear instructions and a good old email reply—forms feel like I’m sending my thoughts into the void and hoping someone, somewhere, maybe reads them.

I have a booking form, but for some reason the most serious inquiries I get usually come from text message or direct email. Since I made my website back in November, so many potential clients have filled out my booking form for shits and giggles and I've only seen a handful of clients that booked through it. I don't have a screening section on my booking form because I don't want to deter too many potential clients, but I'll be adding one in the near future because there's no point in me paying for a website if idiots are just going to use it to play with me and waste my time.

remind me of when you are about to buy a piece of clothing, look at the label, and it says, "One size fits all" which you know is a lie.  It only fits those that are "average."  If you are even a little bit tall, short skinny or fat, it doesn't fit and you have wasted your money.  Of course, if it is made of spandex, there are women of all sizes who will still buy it and think they look good.  Lol

In fairness, probably also serious clients are looking at it, even if they’re not booking with your booking form!

I am not sure I’ve ever filled out a booking form!  I usually text or email my desired date and time, and I provide a few references! If the booker wants age and race, I will provide those. If much beyond that is required. I will move on!

Absolutely! I’m in Boston right now and a lot of bookings have come through my booking form. It’s not a lost cause, thank God.

Booking forms don’t ask for more than that. It’s just a quick way to get all the information at once. Many clients try to have a long conversation with you before booking and take FOREVER just to tell you basic details that you need to know for the session to take place.

In doing marketing research and dealing in real life I find if a form is available most don’t even bother. I would say 25% fill it out for me without being told. I those who don’t think they will avoid screening. Either way I have Timewasters also fill it out and waste my time just as much as those who don’t.