What is Call to action?

Answered across 11 episodes of The Best SEO Podcast

Edited and curated by Matthew Bertram, host of The Best SEO Podcast (produced by EWR Digital).

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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