Call-to-action buttons are like doorknobs.
Posted on Fri, Jun 18, 2010
by Gayle Davies
Until someone develops scratch and sniff website technology or some other sensory lure, business owners will have to rely on some tried and true internet marketing realities to attract potential customers surfing the web.
If you have ever walked past a bakery and smelled the yeasty aroma of freshly baked bread and found yourself turning around and walking towards that smell, instantly realizing that you have a need (empty stomach) that needs to be met, you know what I mean.
Call to Action buttons serve the same purpose as that delicious bakery smell. It is the first step you use to convert that anonymous pedestrian into a potential customer. And because your website has the distinct disadvantage of not being able to appeal to all of our 6 senses, Call-to-Action buttons must be designed correctly. They rely mainly on sight.
Website Must-Have
As a small business owner struggling to keep up with new online marketing rules, you have heard all kinds of new terms. Social media, SEO, landing pages, call-to-action buttons. The list is endless but these are the tools you must master if you want your web presence to be successful. Your ROI depends on it.
Let me simplify one tool for you. Call-to-Action buttons. You may know the essential elements of an effective C2A button:
- Create a sense of urgency
- Use contrasting colors
- Make it clickable
- Use compelling images
- Use action words
But how does a call-to-action button translate into a customer or lead? Simply put, they attract your customer’s attention, just like that irresistible bakery smell. Once you have their attention, they will walk to your place of business and place their hand on the doorknob (click the button) in order to open the door to that thing they need (or want). In this case, bread.
Call-to-Action buttons are just doorknobs.