Call to Action

What is a Call To Action?

A Call to action or a CTA is a marketing term for any design to prompt an immediate response or encourage an immediate sale. 

A call-to-action forms

• Text hyperlink
• Button
• Plain text with no link

Typical examples are “Buy Now” or “Download Now”. But a CTA can run longer, too, such as “Subscribe today so you’ll never miss a post.” The possibilities are endless.

How to Write a Call to Action

1. Use strong action words
2. Reduce distractions (i.e., remove unnecessary links, images, etc.
3. Provoke emotion or enthusiasm if you need a long CTA (examples are shown below)
4. Make it stand out (color, keep above fold, place it in multiple places)
5. Keep it short and sweet
6. Create urgency
7. Include social proof, review stats, awards
8. A/B test CTAs until you identify the best one

Here are some examples of long CTA:

Add numbers: “Buy now and get 50% off!”

Add adjectives: “Find your dream home with us!”

Make a promise: “Lose weight in just 6 weeks!”

Influence their FOMO: “Limited time offer. Get your free T-shirt!”

Play up your USP: “Order a hand-made soap now!”

THE MOST COMMON CTA EXAMPLES

CTA Purpose	CTAs
Ecommerce	Buy, Shop, Order, Reserve, Save, Add to Cart, Pick, View
SaaS conversion	Try, Get Started, Subscribe, Sign Up
Non-profit conversion	Donate, Commit, Volunteer, Adopt, Give, Support
Newsletter or community	Subscribe, Join, Sign Up, Refer
Freebie giveaway	Download, Get, Grab, Claim, Take advantage of
General	Learn More, See More, See How, Start, Find Out, Check it Out, Click here, Continue, Swipe Up

More Examples