Why No One is Clicking Your Call-to-Action (And How to Fix It)
Be Honest—Is Your CTA a Snoozefest?
If your website, landing page, or email campaign has a call-to-action (CTA) that looks something like this:
🔲 “Submit”
🔲 “Click Here”
🔲 “Learn More”
…congratulations! You’ve successfully made the most boring button on the internet.
And guess what? No one is clicking it.
But don’t worry—you’re not alone. A weak CTA is one of the most common marketing mistakes out there. The good news? A few simple tweaks can turn your neglected button into a click-magnet.
Let’s break down why people are ignoring your CTA—and how to fix it.
The Top Reasons No One is Clicking Your CTA
1. It’s Too Boring
Your CTA should make people feel excited, curious, or at least slightly interested. But if your button says something dull like:
❌ “Click Here” (Click here for what? A surprise? A virus? No thanks.)
❌ “Submit” (Submit what? My personal info? My dignity?)
❌ “Learn More” (This sounds like work. I don’t want to learn, I want results.)
People don’t click boring. They click buttons that offer something clear, valuable, and irresistible.
✅ Fix it: Instead of “Click Here,” try:
👉 “Get My Free Guide”
👉 “See How It Works”
👉 “Claim Your 20% Discount”
2. It’s Too Generic
If your CTA is vague, people won’t know what they’re clicking for.
For example, “Sign Up” is okay—but sign up for what? An exclusive membership? A spam-filled nightmare? Who knows?
✅ Fix it: Make it specific and descriptive.
❌ “Sign Up” → ✅ “Sign Up for Instant Access”
❌ “Download” → ✅ “Download My Free Checklist”
❌ “Buy Now” → ✅ “Get 50% Off – Buy Now”
3. It’s in the Wrong Spot
Your CTA could be the best button in the world—but if it’s hiding in a weird place, no one will see it.
🔍 If visitors have to scroll endlessly to find your CTA, it’s too late.
✅ Fix it:
✔️ Place your CTA above the fold (before people start scrolling).
✔️ Use multiple CTAs throughout your page (but don’t overdo it).
✔️ Use sticky CTAs that follow users as they scroll.
4. It Blends Into the Page
If your CTA button is the same colour as the background, congrats—you’ve created a camouflage button.
Visitors won’t click what they can’t see.
✅ Fix it:
🎨 Use contrasting colours to make your button pop.
🖍️ Make it big enough to stand out—but not so big that it looks desperate.
👀 Test different colours (more on this below).
5. It Sounds Like a Trap
Some CTAs sound suspicious—like a commitment trap.
Would you rather click:
❌ “Sign Up Now” (This sounds like I’m about to be sold something.)
✅ “Get Your Free Trial” (Oh, free? Tell me more.)
✅ Fix it:
✔️ Use friendly, benefit-driven language.
✔️ Remove pressure—nobody likes being forced into something.
✔️ If there’s no cost, say it! (“Start for Free” is better than “Register Now”).
How to Fix Your CTA and Get More Clicks
1. Use Power Words That Make People Want to Click
Certain words trigger action. If your CTA sounds weak, it won’t inspire clicks.
Best Power Words for CTAs:
🔥 Now (Creates urgency) → “Start Your Free Trial Now”
🎁 Free (Everyone loves free stuff) → “Get My Free Guide”
💡 Exclusive (Makes it feel VIP) → “Join Our Exclusive Group”
🚀 Instant (People hate waiting) → “Get Instant Access”
2. Make Your CTA Specific
Vague CTAs get ignored. Specific ones get clicked.
❌ “Subscribe” → ✅ “Subscribe for Weekly Marketing Tips”
❌ “Download” → ✅ “Download My 10-Step Website Checklist”
❌ “Start” → ✅ “Start Your 7-Day Free Trial”
3. The Psychology of CTA Button Colours
Yes, colour matters. Science says so.
What Different CTA Button Colours Do:
🔴 Red → Creates urgency (great for limited-time offers).
🟢 Green → Encourages action (great for “Get Started” CTAs).
🔵 Blue → Builds trust (great for “Learn More” or “Sign Up”).
🟠 Orange → Stands out (good for fun, bold CTAs).
🛑 Avoid dull colours like grey or brown—they don’t grab attention.
✅ Fix it: Test different button colours and see which gets the most clicks.
4. Place Your CTA Where People Actually Look
🚫 Don’t hide your CTA at the bottom of the page.
🚫 Don’t bury it inside a wall of text.
✅ Best CTA Placement Tips:
✔️ Above the fold (so people see it instantly).
✔️ At the end of key sections (when they’re ready to take action).
✔️ In the middle of long pages (so they don’t have to scroll back up).
5. Test, Test, Test! (Small Changes = Big Results)
Want to double your click rate? Sometimes, changing just ONE word in your CTA can do it.
💡 A/B Test These CTA Elements:
✅ Button text (“Get My Free Guide” vs. “Download Your Guide”)
✅ Button colour (Red vs. Green)
✅ Placement (Top of page vs. Bottom)
✅ Size (Big button vs. Small button)
Even a tiny improvement means more clicks, more leads, and more sales.
CTA Hall of Fame vs. CTA Hall of Shame (With Real Examples!)
🚨 Bad CTA Examples:
❌ “Submit” (Sounds like you’re turning in homework.)
❌ “Click Here” (Click here for… regrets?)
❌ “Learn More” (Too vague—learn more about what?)
🏆 Great CTA Examples:
✅ “Get My Free Ebook” (Clear, valuable, and benefit-driven.)
✅ “Join 10,000+ Marketers Using This Tool” (Social proof!)
✅ “Start Your Free Trial – No Credit Card Needed” (Eliminates risk.)
Conclusion: Time to Fix That CTA!
If no one is clicking your CTA, don’t panic—just tweak it!
✔️ Use power words that grab attention.
✔️ Make it specific and benefit-driven.
✔️ Pick a colour that stands out (no more sad grey buttons).
✔️ Put it where people actually look.
✔️ Test different versions until you find the winner.
🚀 Your move: Which CTA mistake are you fixing first?