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Qayyum RajanQayyum (”Q”) is a serial builder with more than 5 startups to his name with 3 exits. He specializes in shipping products fast, and early with an focus on driving traffic across the marketing funnels
Table of Contents
- 1. V-V-U formula
- 2. Minimize risk and effort
- 3. Create desire
- 4. Click-result formula
- 5. Use design to direct action
- 6. Social proof reduces hesitancy
- 7. First-person phrasing
- 8. Eliminate friction words
- 9. Instant gratification
- 10. Be true to your brand
- 11. Add Padding
- 12. Use rounded corners
- 13. Capitalize Your Copies
- 14. Add Gradient For More Emphasis
- 15. Use Shadows
- 16. Add an Outline
- 17. Use Icons
We curated the best CTA tips for SaaS from experts to guarantee your conversion. Let’s go!
Note: SaaSwrites is a curated growth marketing hub and resource built to help SaaS founders grow their products. We sincerely thank all our experts for their constant value addition to this world.
Use a CTA Write a killer call-to-action (CTA): Great copywriting starts with persuading the reader.. And ends with the reader taking action. Don't just use any generic CTA. ~ Zain Khan
Jeremy Moser shares CTA tips
1. V-V-U formula
Verb, value, urgency.
Verb → get
Value → graded
Urgency → today
Example: @WordStream
2. Minimize risk and effort
Surround your CTA with risk-minimizing statements. No credit card needed. Unlimited access. 70+ tools.
Don't give users a reason to second guess.
Example:
3. Create desire
Exclusivity, new, and FOMO are powerful ways to drive action and interest.
Use "request access" or "join waitlist" or "notify me."
Example:
4. Click-result formula
Tell people what will happen if they click: "View Listings" takes you directly to a listings page.
Where are users directed after clicking? Write that.
Example:
5. Use design to direct action
Design elements like arrows tell visitors exactly where they should focus attention and encourage a natural flow from headline to CTA.
Example:
6. Social proof reduces hesitancy
Next to your CTA, include social proof to remove any doubts. Instead of second guessing, social proof tells users they won't regret signing up.
Example:
@BorisTane ‘s Bkmark
7. First-person phrasing
Instead of using "your," use first-person phrasing like "me."
This directly involves the user and helps them commit to clicking your CTA.
Example:
8. Eliminate friction words
Friction words: sign up, submit, invest, get started.
These all imply more steps. More steps = more time to second guess. Seamlessly flow users into your offer without the notion of added time and effort.
Example:@Airbnb
9. Instant gratification
Instant gratification is a motivating factor. Great CTAs use this psychological factor via words like "see it on your site" to imply fast solutions.
Example:
10. Be true to your brand
Let your brand personality shine in your CTA. Consistency of your brand tone and voice should maintain through your call to action.
Example:
CTA could also mean potential CSS shifts for solo founders and indie founders.
Jim Raptis provides a simple tutorial on CSS aspect for the CTA.
Let's start with this simple button.
⚠️ Disclaimer:
You can build a decent business with the exact same button. But if you want to WOW your users, follow the next tips to make your CTA stand out...
11. Add Padding
Saying it again (without feeling any guilt):
"Whitespace is your best design pal."
💡Rule of thumb:
Set the horizontal padding equal to x2 the vertical one.
You can always use other formulas but that's a quick way to make it look visually nice.
12. Use rounded corners
This advice is optional and depends on your overall UI style.
💡Rule of thumb:
- Rounded corners are for modern & playful UIs • Sharp corners are for "serious" & luxury products
13. Capitalize Your Copies
Capital letters/words emphasize your message. Use it for the content that your users can't afford to lose.
Also, users SPEND MORE TIME reading uppercase text.
💡Rule of thumb:
- Uppercase: for SHORT COPY • Capitalize: for Larger Copies
14. Add Gradient For More Emphasis
Gradients make bold statements! That's why designers choose gradient backgrounds for their CTA buttons.
To make them stand out, even more!
💡Rule of Thumb:
Use my free tool to create a decent gradient in a few clicks
15. Use Shadows
Shadows show elevation and emulate the real 3D world.
They make your button look like it's floating on a higher level upon all the other elements. It prompts you to click it!
💡Rule of thumb:
Read:
7 copy hacks
16. Add an Outline
It's optional but you can add a solid outline to upgrade your button's aesthetics.
🤯Pro tips:
- Add opacity to the border (10%-30%) • Use a gradient color for the outline
17. Use Icons
Icons help users visually identify the button's purpose with a quick glance.
Two ways to use them:
- Describe the action with an icon • Show action with an arrow or chevron icon
🤯Pro tip:
Align it to the right to keep the button's text centered.
Written by
Qayyum Rajan
Qayyum (”Q”) is a serial builder with more than 5 startups to his name with 3 exits. He specializes in shipping products fast, and early with an focus on driving traffic across the marketing funnels
