What is a CTA (Call to Action)?
Digital Marketing
4Quick Read
A call-to-action (CTA) is a prompt for action, typically a button or link designed to entice you to click it. You'll often see CTAs on websites, blogs, newsletters, advertisements, and social media posts. The ultimate goal of a CTA is for the customer to purchase the product or service. The perfect CTA for everyone is different. A good CTA is one that has been tested in numerous A/B tests, designed with the latest UI/UX trends, and has been observed to perform the best.
Apart from testing to settle on your own CTA, you can use some proven practices. See if they work for your CTA and if they increase your conversion rate.
10 Effective CTA Examples:
Buy Now
Book an Appointment
Free Trial
Download the eBook
Sign-up
Subscribe
Join us
Share
Add to Cart
Download
10 Tips for Creating the Perfect CTA
Read the following 10 tips we use at Cosmolink to create the perfect CTA.
Write a Short Call-to-Action Text.
Use Action Verbs.
For example, “order now”, “play”, “sign up”.Create a sense of urgency.
For example, “Start today”, “Discover now”.Use Bright Colors.
For instance, red, green, or black, but any color that contrasts and catches the eye.Place the CTA in the right spot, usually above the fold, in the appropriate size.
Ensure it’s clear what your visitor will gain.
Avoid pressuring your customer to buy (unless you’re an e-shop), offering something low-risk instead.
Design the CTA to attract attention
Use psychology so that the user's eye leads to the CTA
Along with the CTA, offer something of value.
For example, a discount, free usage period, or some offer.
What Types of CTAs Exist?
There are various types of CTAs, and in all, the key success factor is the copywriting. Below we write about 11 forms a call-to-action can take.
Button, e.g., “Learn more”
Link
Advertisement Message
Sign up for Newsletter
Image or Video
Popup or Banner
Social Media Actions, e.g., “like”
Sign-up Form
Push Notifications
QR Codes
Where Are CTAs Used?
A CTA can be used on a landing page, a website, in email marketing, content marketing, and in direct marketing. The purpose of a CTA is to prompt an action from the user.
Why Do We Use a CTA?
A CTA is used to prompt an action, which can be one of the following:
For Lead Generation
To Share Your Content on Social Media
To Close a Deal
To Nurture Your Customers
To Sell Your Products or Services
To Promote an Event
To Increase Email Sign-ups for Your Newsletter
FAQs About CTAs
Read below some of the most common questions about Call-to-Action.
How Many CTAs Should I Use on a Landing Page?
You can use as many CTAs as you want on a landing page as long as they all have the same conversion and sales goal.
What Factors Affect the Performance of a CTA?
Several factors influence a CTA's effectiveness and conversion rate. The main ones are listed below.
Color
Font
Motion & Animations
Mobile-Friendly (Responsive)
Which Color for a CTA Has the Highest Conversion Rate?
The button color for a CTA with the highest conversion rate is red. However, keep in mind that there is no definitive answer since the ideal answer depends on tests you need to conduct for your Brand and audience.
The most common color choices to attract customers are:
Red
Blue
Yellow
Green
Orange
Pink
Black
Which Shape for CTA Buttons Has the Highest Conversion?
The oval shape CTA buttons with rounded edges have the highest conversions.
Again, the answer depends on your Brand, the tests you have conducted, and your goals.
How Do I Use CTAs on Social Media?
To use CTAs optimally on social media, you should apply a combination of information, solving a problem, and prompt words. But don't limit yourself, be creative and stand out.
Facebook Ad CTA: ClickUp Example
An example of a successful Facebook ad CTA is ClickUp's. What made it so successful?
Consistent copywriting in the text and the first sentence of the ad
A complementary CTA that explains and gives an extra push
The “learn more” which encourages but doesn’t pressure you to act
Successful ad example from Clickup and proper use of Facebook ad CTA.
LinkedIn Ad CTA: Google Example
Another example of a LinkedIn ad CTA is Google’s.
Characterized by simplicity, just like the search engine
Doesn't use any button (which is why we included it)
Successful LinkedIn ad CTA example from Google without a button.
How Do I Use CTAs in Emails?
CTAs in emails are used as in all the above categories, employing the tips we wrote. However, for email messages, we have three more secrets to increase your click-through rate (CTR).
Make sure the text is interesting and tells a story
Give something first, because “you cannot take from what you do not have”
Place the call-to-action button in the center
