How To Write Call To Action

When you want readers to click and engage on your site, first make call to action buttons big and obvious.

NEXT, follow these 10 how to writing and design tips.

  1. Use clear, direct, action-focused words.  If you don’t tell someone exactly what to do, even a willing and ready buyer might not know how to buy from you.
  2. Give WIFM (what’s in it for me!) reasons to act. Remember, sign up for my FREE newsletter doesn’t qualify for a WIFM action buyers can’t refuse!  Use the formula:  Do X to get Y.
  3. Add incentives with deadlines or limited offers such as “the first 10 to sign up receive” or “only 25 seats available.”  Be honest.  If you state that you only have 25 seats, you better only have 25 seats.
  4. Provide extra information that tells users what to expect and that taking action  is easy.  Examples of this include length of time to sign up, free trial time frame and size of file download.
  5. Ask for the action a few times. People may be ready to buy two-thirds of the way through your message, whereas they weren’t just half way through.  So offer frequent opportunities for readers to act.
  6. Use both image-based buttons and linked text buttons to provide visual priority for the reader.  Linked text should be used for secondary actions.
  7. Place your most important call to action as an image-based button above the fold where it can be seen without scrolling.
  8. Use white space or arrows around your primary call to action.  The more space around a call to action the more attention it receives.
  9. Place your most important call to action first, then repeat it at the end of your message.  Seventy percent of readers click on the first link.  The last link also gets high clickthroughs.
  10. Remember opposites attract.  Use bright, contrasting colors for your button background.

Do you recommend any other call to action tips?  If so, let everyone know by commenting below.