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Best calls to action

CTA the Deal: 6 Tips to Create the Best Calls to Action

Author: Team WH
Published On: 28-09-21
Last Updated on: 21-11-23
Estimated reading time: 14 minutes

Get this: A study by HubSpot found that well-thought-out and personalized best calls to action outperformed basic CTAs by 202%. Further, the research found that the average click-through rate for CTAs was pegged at 4.23%, higher than the CTR for Google Ads.

Irrespective of whether it’s a blog post, website, or social media page, your message will fall flat without an intriguing CTA to accompany it. By placing an effective CTA on your website’s landing page alone, you can boost your conversion rates by 80%.

To put it simply, a CTA or Call to Action is your prompt to the reader, telling them what to do next.

From asking your customers to check out your new product to luring them into subscribing to your newsletter, you can tailor your CTA to achieve virtually anything.

When done right, CTAs bring many benefits to the table—increased CTRs, growth in sales, improved customer relationship, and more. This is why it is so important to nail your CTAs to perfection.

Take a look at these two personalized CTAs on EPIC’s landing page, and you’ll immediately understand what we’re trying to say.

A catchy calls to action example for websites

Read this blog to discover the secrets to creating the perfect CTA, the different types of CTAs and what they mean. Also, take inspiration from five cracking call-to-action examples for websites and understand why they work! 

How Can You Create The Most Irresistible Call-To-Action CTAs?

In this section, we have rounded up the best tips and tricks that you can use to craft a perfect and actionable CTA. This collection of tips is a result of scrawling through the vast recesses of the internet and throwing in our own experience.

So, get ready to churn out some flawless call-to-action for websites, ads, newsletters and more! 

1. Command verbs are your holy grail

When you want your readers to take action, there’s nothing quite like action verbs to get the job done. By using solid command verbs, you will be able to enhance the clarity and precision of your CTA copy. 

You can also have some fun by throwing a couple of other words in the mix. Here are some examples: ‘Check this out’, ‘Call today’, ‘Book now’ and ‘Click here’.

Use command verbs to make your CTA short, crisp and direct, leaving no room for doubt in your customers’ minds.

Here’s Netflix’s simple yet clever CTA button for some inspiration. 

Netflix’s call-to-action for website

2. Bring those emotions to the table

A Harvard professor, Gerald Zaltman, believes that 95% of buying decisions are made by the customers’ subconscious mind.

That’s why your CTA should tap into their emotions effectively. Here’s the thing: It’s easier to get your customers to do what you want, once you’ve got them hooked. And, your call-to-action CTA should be the bait. 

There are so many emotions and reactions that your CTA can evoke – curiosity, delight, empathy, surprise, pride – the list is endless.

Don’t we all love promises? You can also use your CTA to make a promise.

For instance, if you’re offering your customers a bug repellent that can kill all the bugs and termites in two weeks, use that in your CTA. You can come up with something like “Send all the pests packing in just 2 Weeks!”

Identify the emotion you want to evoke, pick the words accordingly, and you’ll be good to go!

QuickSprout is one of the best call-to-action landing pages containing a treasure trove of actionable CTAs that you simply cannot miss. 

Best call to action landing pages: QuickSprout

3. Tap into the everlasting FOMO

Don’t stop at evoking your customers’ emotions. Go one step further, and use your CTA to create a sense of urgency. After all, the fear of missing out, or FOMO, is a real thing.

And this is a great way of appealing to the emotional-cum-rational decision-making side of your customers. This works especially well if there’s a product or service that you want them to buy.

So, how can you create a sense of urgency? You can start by using phrases like ‘Hurry Now!’, ‘Limited Period Offer’, ‘Grab the Deal Now’, etc.

You can also use your CTA copy to inform your readers that there are not many items left in stock, to prompt them into buying the product/service. 

For instance, Amazon’s ‘Deal of the Day’ achieves just that.

Amazon’s Call to Action example for websites

4. Keep it crisp, concise, creative

On top of keeping the call-to-action CTA crisp, clear, and creative, ensure that the text and other content on your landing page aren’t too cluttered or heavy, such that it takes your customers’ focus away from the CTA. 

Remember to only include content that is truly helpful and meaningful to your customers. This is your way of saying—“we value your time, and we value you”.

People love clicking buttons, and all that you need to do is make it worthwhile for them.

Pro-tip: If you’re planning on using a CTA button for your landing page, make sure to pick a colour that complements your webpage’s colour and design. Trust us, this trick always pays off. 

The landing page of Leadpages is what your CTA will look like if you follow this tip.

Best call to action for websites: Leadpages

5. Lure them in with value

Everybody has problems that they want solutions to. While creating your CTA, make sure to capitalize on that. Identify the pain points of your customers, and leverage them.

Weave them into your CTA. Let’s suppose that your business provides painting services to individual residences. You have learnt that most of your customers share a common concern – the time it will take to paint the house.

You can use this knowledge to come up with a CTA along the lines of “We can paint your house in 4 days. Contact us to know more”.

The formula is really simple – identify the pain point, use that to ask a question, and use your CTA to answer. Craft your copies with this in mind and come up with some truly valuable calls to action for your website! The CTR of your CTA is bound to go shooting through the roof. 

We love what the meditation app Headspace did with their landing page CTA. See for yourself!

Create the best calls to action: Headspace

6. Blend curiosity and anticipation

When it comes to creating a CTA, three key elements play a major role: curiosity, anticipation, and association.

A cracking CTA will first get the customers intrigued, and will keep them engaged with the promise of a reward.

This creates a state of fervent anticipation in the customers’ minds. In the long run, your customers will come to associate your CTA with rewards and all the good stuff. And, they’ll get clicking without any hesitation.

Here’s an example for you. Club Mahindra capitalizes on people’s desire for a memorable vacation and gets them intrigued with a slideshow of stunning vacation pictures.

Eventually, the customers feel the need to reward themselves with an amazing vacation. And they end up responding to the CTA. Creating the best calls to action becomes easy when you understand this! 

This is what blending curiosity and anticipation looks like when nailed:

Club-Mahindra’s refreshing call to action example for websites

Key Takeaways

  • Make ample use of command verbs
  • Make sure that your CTA copy appeals to human emotions
  • Go all out and create a sense of urgency
  • Follow the three C’s – keep it crisp, concise, and creative
  • Provide irresistible value with your CTA
  • Curiosity + Anticipation + Association = Winning CTA formula

Different kinds of CTAs

Now that you know the secrets to create an actionable CTA, it’s time for you to find out about the different kinds of CTAs, and how you can use them to your advantage.

1. Web page buttons

A web page CTA button is a call-to-action button that you can place on your website’s landing page. You can think of it as a compass you can use to direct your customers to a really exciting blog post, or a new product/service. 

Web page buttons are very handy for lead generation, lead nurturing, and goal conversions.

You can also have buttons with links to social media platforms. Subsequently, you will be encouraging your customers to spread the word by sharing your content online.

Spotify’s ‘Get Spotify Free’ web page button directs users to a page where they can sign up and become a user, by luring them with two promises:

Best call to action landing pages: Spotify

2. Opt-in campaign buttons

Opt-in campaign buttons are the ones you can use if your main goal is to get your customers to subscribe to your newsletters and promotional emails advertising new products or services.

Generally, these buttons ask for the customer’s consent. There are many types of opt-in campaign buttons you can experiment with – exit-intent, lightbox, embedded, bar, shake the box, and so on. Find one that suits your end goal and create a captivating CTA button that rakes in the clicks! 

This opt-in campaign button on Heidi Fiedler’s website is a good example:

Best Call to Action for website: Heidi Fiedler

3. Anchor texts in blog posts

Anchor texts are the mainstay features of a blog post. This is because anchor texts are a great way of making your content appear more friendly and helpful to the readers.

An anchor text typically contains a hyperlink that directs readers to another resource that they might be interested in, or find relevant. What’s more, positioning your call-to-action CTA as an anchor text in blog posts can also boost your Google search engine rank. 

You can use descriptive words to get creative with anchor texts, but keep it concise and crisp. Further, you can think out-of-the-box and make your anchor text call to action for websites, stand out! 

Here’s how HubSpot used an anchor text CTA to draw attention to their content marketing course:

The best call to action example for websites: Hubspot-1

4. Buttons or text in emails

Email CTAs are super important, so much so that nearly 56% of all promotional and advertising emails carry at least one solid CTA.

So, why should you miss out? Email buttons are very similar to web page buttons, and they perform the same function. While designing email buttons, you need to pay attention to aspects like the button size, shape, space and style.

Alternatively, you can incorporate anchor text CTA in your emails. You can use this CTA copy to ask your customers to download a free resource or a discount coupon. 

This time around, take a feather from the cap of the WHUSTLE, by WrittenlyHub. Pay attention to how the newsletter makes effective use of both, email buttons and text:

Look to WrittenlyHub and create the best calls to action

5. Text in social media posts

Text in social media posts generally contains hyperlinks to other resources or websites.

Given the number of people on social media, placing top-notch CTAs in your social media posts can be a powerful move. Especially so when you’re using platforms like Twitter that feature text more than images.

Nike’s Twitter handle is a goldmine replete with powerful CTA texts, like in this tweet, where they educate everyone about the role, they can play in combating climate change:

Best call to action landing pages: Nike

You can use the text to give a link back to your website, to get customers to enter a contest, to subscribe for a service- anything! Create the best call to action for your social media and supplement your website traffic, easily! 

Breaking down 5 awesome CTAs: Why they work

We know that you’re all pumped up to come up with some kickass CTAs. But, before you go, take a look at some winning Call-to-action examples for websites and ads, and what makes them so amazing. 

1. QuickSprout

The folks at QuickSprout leave no stone unturned when it comes to hogging the limelight with perfect CTAs.  

Their CTA, ‘Are you doing your SEO wrong? Enter your URL to find out’, is simply outstanding.

Why this works: To begin with, the slide-in CTA button is hard to miss. The question is compelling and intrigues readers in no time. Notice how the question also addresses the pain point, by making an alluring promise. 

To top it off, the language is simple, and the CTA is clear. The positioning is also ideal, and the green and yellow colors complement each other perfectly.

Follow QuickSprout to create the best call to action

2. Grey Goose

Do you remember us talking about personalized CTAs being better than the rest? If you were looking for an example, you needn’t look beyond Grey Goose’s CTA, ‘Discover a cocktail tailored to your taste’.

Why this works: The personalisation makes the CTA stand out. Further, the video button leaves customers with the anticipation of more to come. The landing page background is adorably pleasant, while ‘heroing’ the CTA adequately. This is truly a masterclass in creating the best call-to-action landing pages 

A unique call to action for websites: GreyGoose

3. Ahrefs

Ahrefs’ CTA reads like this: ‘Start a 7-day trial for $7’. That’s simplicity and clarity working together.

Why this works: This web page CTA button is the epitome of crisp, concise and clear. The CTA not only gives customers clear instructions, it also lets them know what they can expect next. The directness is quite praiseworthy. 

What’s more, the orange button stands-out effortlessly against the purple background. There’s no chance anyone is going to miss the CTA.

And, aren’t the starfish and mountains simply adorable?

Ahrefs’ direct approach to create the best call to action works!

4. Webflow

This is Webflow’s CTA: ‘Get started, it’s free’. Now you’re thinking: What’s so great about this?

Why this works: Webflow’s main goal is to sell its website building and design service. And when people are looking to buy a service, pricing and costs are always on their mind.

By adding ‘it’s free’, their CTA answers questions even before they get asked. And, that’s why it works wonders on customers, especially the SaaS ones. One of our top contenders for the best call-to-action CTA award, for sure! 

Best Call to action examples for websites- Webflow

5. Crossrope

Crossrope’s CTA is as fun as it can get: ‘Show Me the Ropes’.

Why this works: Crossrope is a company that sells jump rope programs. Not only is the CTA direct and clear, it’s also a clever play on words. Now, who doesn’t like wordplay? The minimalist design of the landing page also enhances the CTA.

The command verb ‘show’ creates a sense of urgency, and provides ample value to the customers. And, it sure as hell arouses the curiosity of the customers. Basically, it’s the button version of ‘Okay, now you have my attention’.

Playful and quirky example of a call to action for websites

It’s a wrap!

This post was all about CTA. We started by providing you with detailed insight into the importance of CTAs, and what they are.  

Further, we exposed some insider secrets for crafting killer calls to action for websites, complete with examples to spur you into work mode. Additionally, we walked you through the different types of CTAs and their uses. 

To conclude this post, we rounded up five CTA examples that are amazing, thoughtful, and genius, all rolled into one. 

We hope that this article will help you create the best calls-to-actions for websites, emails, ads and more! 

Do you want your CTAs to be written by professionals for the best results? Contact our experts right away! 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the objective of a CTA?

The primary objective of a Call to Action (CTA) is to prompt an immediate response or encourage an immediate sale. It’s designed to guide users towards your desired action, whether it’s to subscribe, buy, download, or learn more, effectively driving them further down the sales funnel.

2. How to make a strong call to action?

A strong CTA uses action-oriented, persuasive language. It should create a sense of urgency or FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). Make it stand out with contrasting colors and place it strategically for maximum visibility. Ensure it clearly communicates the benefit the user will receive by clicking.

3. How to optimize your call to action?

To optimize your CTA, tailor it to the specific stage of the buyer’s journey. Test different versions (A/B testing) to see what resonates best with your audience. Keep it concise, use action verbs, and ensure it’s visually striking and easy to find.

4. How many words should a CTA be?

CTAs should be concise, typically around 2-5 words. This brevity ensures clarity and impact. The goal is to be direct and to the point, making it easy for users to understand what action they’re being prompted to take.

5. Is “Click Here” a good CTA?

“Click Here” is a commonly used CTA, but it’s often not the most effective. It lacks specificity and doesn’t convey the value or outcome of the click. More descriptive CTAs, like “Download Free E-book” or “Get Started Today,” tend to perform better as they clearly state the benefit.

1 comment

  1. Truly Insightful post. CTA’s are totally important when it comes to any kind of online content or medium. It is what drives people to take action that you want them to take. Hence, crafting a CTA that can give you the most traction should be our utmost goal.

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