Design & UX

Call to action (CTA)

A prompt that tells visitors the next step to take, such as "Book a call" or "Get a quote."

By Nick Irmo · Updated

What Call to action (CTA) means

Clear CTAs turn interest into leads. Each page should make its main action obvious and easy to complete. Vague or competing CTAs leave visitors unsure what to do.

Why it matters for your website

Visitors rarely take the next step unless you tell them what it is. A clear, specific call-to-action turns interest into calls, bookings and sales. Pages without one, or with five competing ones, tend to get plenty of traffic and very few leads.

Example

A pest control company replaces a vague 'Submit' button with 'Get my free inspection' and adds a tap-to-call button on mobile. Quote requests rise.

Tips

  • Use action words that describe the result, like 'Get my quote'.
  • Pick one main action per page and make it visually stand out.
  • Repeat the call-to-action after key sections on longer pages.

Common mistakes

  • Using generic labels like 'Submit' or 'Click here'.
  • Giving equal weight to many different buttons so none stands out.

Questions about Call to action (CTA)

What is Call to action (CTA)?
A prompt that tells visitors the next step to take, such as "Book a call" or "Get a quote."
Where should I put a call-to-action on a page?
Place one near the top for ready visitors and repeat it after sections that answer common questions. On mobile, a sticky call or book button can work well.
What makes a call-to-action effective?
Clear wording, a visible design and a low-risk next step. Mentioning what happens next, such as 'Free, no obligation,' can reduce hesitation.

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