Maybe you’ve heard of a Call to Action but are unsure of where and when the best places are to use them. Maybe you’ve never heard of a Call to Action before… Well, you are in the right place!
A Call to Action, also known as a CTA, is the number one way to drive conversions on a given web page. They are a way to motivate your audience to take the necessary steps so that they can become your customers or clients. Without a Call to Action the traffic on your website will not know what you want them to do and, chances are, you will lose them. No one wants that!
But why do Calls to Action matter?
On most websites you will see a CTA: “Buy Now,” “Sign up Today,” but they don’t always work. No one wants to be hounded by popups as soon as they click on a page, they will simply leave again. But equally, if you don’t ask your viewers to sign up to or download, then they won’t know what is being offered to them. Customers expect and want CTAs, they make things easier for them. And don’t forget, the customer’s always right, so give them what they want!
How to hook people with your Call to Action
A CTA helps the brain scan for the most relevant information so that it can efficiently process what’s needed to solve its problem. However, gone are the days where a simple blue “Download” button would do the trick, with an audience continually growing in knowledge and experience, boring, basic CTAs will not engage your audience. Users need exciting, quirky, and personalised CTAs that intrigue them and make them want to click.
Other tips for good calls to action include:
- Providing a free trial (because who doesn’t love one of those?).
- Use a strong command verb to start your CTA. This lets your traffic know exactly what you want to do, and fast!
- Offering a CTA which quickly shows the customer benefits.
- Providing a quick service with your CTA. Don’t make your customers wait.
- Be creative! Surprise the traffic on your page with something new.
Your call to action must grab your user’s attention fast, standing out from anything else on the page. One of the main reasons most landing pages and sales pages are not converting leads into customers is a weak CTA with no sense of urgency. This is the time to focus visitors on simple and effective decisions that will boost conversions and show that you are the people to engage with.
So, when is the best time to use a Call to Action?
CTAs are relevant on every page of your website. Whether you’re selling products or services or trying to provide information to help consumers, action is expected on each page, and that call to action will help show what your visitor’s should be doing. CTAs offer a service to your potential customers, they should always be there on the page to offer help, but not so in your face that they become annoying.
Calls to action are often a finishing touch after a user has read or skimmed through your content. They offer the next step to users on the fence when they are used at just the right moment – without bombarding them with too much information but providing just enough so that they are left intrigued and wanting more. You should never leave out the use of a call to action as it could cause your numbers to drop. Let your CTA shine and watch your site traffic turn into loyal customers and clients.
Put simply, calls to action are a fundamental element of website design and users expect them. These tips will help you to improve your calls to action and if you have any more questions or need further advice on CTAs, we are we are always on hand to help and offer advice.