The CTAs that increase conversions use action words, stand out on the page, sit above the fold and give people a clear reason to click. Social proof, benefit-driven language, emotion, simple wording and a contrasting color all help, and testing different versions shows which ones work for your audience.
Every piece of marketing copy aims at a conversion: a sale, a subscription, a download or a free trial. Below are 12 ways to write CTA buttons that get more of them.
1. Use action words in your CTA buttons
When creating your call-to-action buttons, use action words to compel your visitors to take the desired action. Some great examples of action words include: “start,” “click here,” “download now,” and “join today.” These buttons are easy to see and understand and clearly direct your visitors. These action-oriented CTAs can increase your conversion rate and achieve your business goals.
2. Make your CTA stand out on the page
When creating your call-to-action buttons, make them stand out instantly. Use contrasting colors, clean shapes, and sizing that makes them impossible to miss. Adding subtle animation or motion design effects, such as hover transitions, pulsing accents, or micro-movement, can help your CTAs attract more visual attention and guide users toward the next step. When your CTAs stand out both visually and interactively, more visitors notice them, engage with them, and ultimately convert.
3. Use positive reinforcement in your CTA buttons
Many people hesitate to take action because they fear making a mistake. You can overcome this hesitation by using positive reinforcement in your CTA buttons. This means giving your visitors a sense of assurance that they are making the right decision by taking action. Some great ways to do this include using phrases like “You’re almost there” or “Thank you for subscribing.” Positive reinforcement in your CTAs can help build trust with your visitors and increase your conversion rate.
4. Place your CTA above the fold
When creating your call-to-action buttons, place them above the fold. This means putting them at the top of the page, where they will be easily visible to your visitors. You may also want to use a popup or modal window to ensure your CTA is the first thing visitors see. By placing your CTAs above the fold, you can provide more visitors to see and click on them.
5. Use social proof to increase confidence
If you’ve ever been undecided about buying a product, you’ve probably looked to reviews or testimonials from others to help you decide. This phenomenon is known as social proof, and it can be a powerful tool for increasing confidence and driving conversions. CTAs that satisfied customers endorse are more likely to be clicked on, and positive reviews can encourage people to buy a product they might otherwise have been hesitant about. When creating your call-to-action buttons, use social proof to increase confidence. This means showing your visitors that other people have taken action and achieved success. Some great ways to do this include testimonials, case studies, and social media icons. Using social proof in your CTAs can help build trust with your visitors and increase your conversion rate.
6. Test different CTAs to see what works best
Testing different CTAs to see what works best for your website can be helpful. Try using other words, colors, and placement to see which combination results in the highest conversion rate. You may also want to test various types of social proof to see which impacts your visitors most. By A/B testing different CTAs, you can identify which will most likely increase conversions. And while it may take some time to set up the tests, the results can be well worth the effort.
7. Give your readers a reason to take action
It would help if you gave your readers a reason to take action to increase conversions. What do you want them to do? Sign up for your email list. Download a free ebook? Make a purchase? By providing clear and concise instructions, you can make it easy for your readers to know what they need to do to receive your benefits. CTAs are essential to any website or marketing campaign, so use eye-catching and easy-to-understand buttons.
8. Use strong, benefit-driven language
When creating your call-to-action buttons, use strong, benefit-driven language. This means using phrases that communicate the benefits of taking action. Some great examples include “get more leads,” “improve your SEO,” and “save time.” If you’re unsure which CTAs work best for your audience, consulting with a B2B SEO specialist can help you craft high-converting messages tailored to your market. Using strong, benefit-driven language in your CTAs can inspire your visitors to take action and achieve their goals.
9. Appeal to people’s emotions
When creating your call-to-action buttons, appeal to people’s emotions. This means using phrases that evoke excitement, joy, or happiness. Some great examples include “start your day with a smile,” “enjoy the journey,” and “be fearless.” Using emotionally-charged language in your CTAs can inspire your visitors to take action and achieve their goals.
10. Keep them updated and fresh
Keeping your CTAs updated and fresh is critical to increasing conversions. If you always use the exact button text or design, your visitors will quickly become desensitized to it, and it will lose its impact. Try experimenting with different colors, fonts, and wording to see what works best for your audience. You may also want to change the CTA depending on its page – for example, a “Sign Up” button might work better on a landing page than a “Buy Now” button. Keep your CTAs fresh and engaging; you’ll see a conversion boost!
11. Keep it simple
Keeping CTAs simple is key to increasing conversions. If your buttons are too complex or confusing, visitors will be less likely to click on them. Try using clear and concise wording, and keep the design of your buttons simple and uncluttered. This will make them easier to see and understand and more likely to be clicked on. CTAs that are too long or confusing tend to get ignored, so make sure your CTAs are easy to understand and direct. Additionally, minimize the number of steps required to complete a conversion – the fewer steps, the better. By following these tips, you can help ensure that your website is as user-friendly as possible, which will go a long way toward increasing conversions.
12. Use color to draw attention to your CTA
Regarding call-to-action buttons, using color is a great way to draw attention to them and increase conversions. Using a color that stands out from the surrounding text and images makes your buttons more visible and likely to be clicked. Some great colors to use for CTAs are blue, green, and orange – these colors are often associated with excitement and happiness, which can encourage your visitors to take action.
Start With a Test
Pick the CTA on your highest-traffic page and change one thing: the wording, the color or the position. Run the new version against the old one until you have enough clicks to compare, then keep the winner and test the next change. Small gains on a busy page add up faster than a redesign of a quiet one.