When you have visited a website, have you ever been unsure of what to do next?
This is quite common when calls to action (CTAs) are missing or unclear. At Silver Websites, we understand that guiding your visitors smoothly through your site is as essential as navigating calm seas. Whether you’re setting sail with a starter website, upgrading your site, or wanting a full-service solution, a strong CTA can make all the difference.
Why CTAs matter
A CTA is more than just a button or a link; it’s an invitation for your visitors to actually do something and take action. Whether it’s signing up for a newsletter, booking a consultation, or purchasing a service, CTAs drive user engagement and conversions.
Surprisingly, many small business websites overlook the importance of these, leaving their visitors drifting without direction. We’ve found that around 70% of small business websites we’ve looked at have lacked a CTA on their homepage.
Without clear CTAs, it’s like sailing without a map—your visitors might get lost, unsure of which direction to take next. This can result in lower engagement and missed opportunities to convert visitors into loyal customers.
Optimising your CTAs: a path to smooth sailing
So, how can you ensure your website isn’t left adrift? Here are some tips to make your CTAs clear, engaging, and effective:
- Be direct and clear
When adding a CTA, simplicity is key. Avoid vague phrases like “Learn More” or “Click Here.” Instead, guide your visitors with clear instructions like “Get Started with Your Starter Website” or “Explore Our Full-Service Solutions.” Make it easy for users to know what action they’re taking and where it will lead them. - Place CTAs prominently
CTAs should be placed where your visitors are most likely to see them—whether that’s at the top of your homepage, in the middle of a blog post, or in a sidebar. Think of them as the lighthouses guiding visitors through your content. For example, if you’re offering website upgrades, ensure the CTA is easy to find and directs users to a page that explains the benefits and pricing clearly. - Create a sense of urgency
To encourage your visitors to take action quickly, add a sense of urgency. This might be through time-sensitive offers or exclusive discounts for new customers. Phrases like “Get 10% Off Your Starter Website—Ends Soon!” or “Upgrade Now and Save” can motivate users to act fast. Urgency works like a gust of wind in the sails, propelling your visitors towards making a decision.
The impact of strong CTAs on business growth
Even for our starter websites, a clear and urgent CTA can be very important. Our starter sites tend to be one or two concise pages and having a clearly defined action for website visitors is vital, even if you just want them to pick up the phone for a discovery chat.
When we do our website upgrades, we always look at what the CTAs need to be. These can be one common CTA throughout the website or different ones for different sub-services.
For our fully managed website clients, we regularly add new pages and fresh content for our client and each time we consider the related CTA, i.e. what clients want their website visitors to do next.
The benefits of effective CTAs: charting a course to success
When your CTAs are optimised, they guide visitors smoothly through your site, much like a well-piloted boat navigating through open waters. You’ll likely see:
- Increased conversions: More people signing up, purchasing services, or engaging with your content.
- Better user engagement: When visitors know what to do next, they’re more likely to explore and interact with your site.
- Higher retention rates: Clear CTAs help build trust, as users feel guided and supported in their journey.
Ready to make waves with your website?
At Silver Websites, we tailor each of our services—whether it’s a starter website, a website upgrade, or a fully managed solution—to ensure your business sails smoothly online. By implementing clear, compelling CTAs, we help you not only attract visitors but also convert them into long-term customers.
If you’re interested in learning more about how CTAs can transform your site and drive growth, get in touch with us today.