What is Call to action?

Answered across 11 episodes of The Best SEO Podcast

The short answer

An element on a webpage prompting visitors to take a specific next step such as subscribing or inquiring, which the hosts say is often missing from high-traffic client pages.

How experts on the show define it

An element on a webpage prompting visitors to take a specific next step such as subscribing or inquiring, which the hosts say is often missing from high-traffic client pages.

From Episode 393: Ignoring These 6 SEO Strategies Could Come Back to Haunt You by Sherry Bonelli #393

A prompt at the end of a video directing the viewer to take a specific next step, such as clicking a link, making a purchase, or sharing the video, rather than letting the video fade to black.

From #SEOpodcast 279 - Video Marketing Strategy

An element on a webpage that prompts a visitor to purchase, call, or email. The episode recommends having one on each and every page.

From Submission, Content Is King - Unknown Secrets of SEO E-Webstyle Number 4

A specific prompt or destination on a website that you want visitors to reach, which can be tracked in Google Analytics to measure whether users are completing desired steps.

From Growing during a recession with SEO - Unknown Secrets of SEO E-Webstyle Number 10

An element on a webpage, such as a buy button or phone number, that prompts visitors to take a specific next step. Without clear calls to action, traffic does not convert into customers.

From How Usefull are Meta Tags, Convert Traffic with Calls to Action - Unknown Secrets of SEO E-Webstyle Number 15

The single most important element on a webpage that prompts visitors to take a specific next step aligned with the business sales process, such as calling, submitting a form, or downloading a resource.

From Converting Visitors into Prospects - #SEOpodcast 236

An element on a webpage that prompts visitors to take a specific next step such as buying, calling, or submitting a form. The episode flags missing calls to action as a critical website flaw.

From Did Twitter Kill Bruno, Save 50% on your Yellow Pages Print Ad - Unknown Secrets of SEO E-Webstyle Number 23

An element on a webpage that prompts visitors to take a desired step, such as buying a product. The hosts stress that driving traffic has little value if the site cannot convert visitors through effective calls to action.

From When not to post a video YouTube, Should you transcribe your video or podcast? - Unknown Secrets of SEO E-Webstyle Number 20

A clear, concise instruction on a landing page telling the user exactly what to do, such as call, fill out a form, subscribe, or download something.

From Landing Page Design Tips - #seopodcast 214

A prompt on a landing page that directs the visitor toward a specific conversion goal; the podcast stresses it must be well thought out and informed by competitive analysis of your industry.

From Tips for Landing Pages - Internet Marketing Podcast Number 196

A prompt on a webpage that tells visitors what to do next, such as calling a phone number. The hosts note the reviewed website lacked clear calls to action.

From Should you use Yahoo or Bing PPC in your Internet Marketing? What to do before SEO? - Unknown Secrets of SEO E-Webstyle Number 22

Episodes that cover this

Related answers

See the full SEO & AI search glossary.

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