Have you experienced passing by into a shop and noticed a poster that says "70-80% off Discount on All Items," then went inside to try their discount? Or saw a food commercial on the television of the new product of your favorite fast food chain, and then felt like you want to try it and then actually called their delivery hotline?

Like the poster and the TV commercial, that's what call-to-action buttons' purpose are, they attract every visitor that pass by on your site for them to be your prospective customers that will buy the products on your site, sign up as a member, or try your product for free.

To make your call-to-action buttons effective, you need to decide carefully with its color, wordings, language, size, font and where to place it on the website. Here are some tips to help attract your customers to click your button.

1. Use Effective Words and Language

Your choices of words and language you use on the label of your buttons have a huge impact with your visitors. I suggest that you use action words and terms that are already familiar to most such as Download, Buy, and Try it now. It should be attractive to hear that it captivates the attention of the visitors to click it.

Remember, it should be short, direct and simple, so that they already know what they can get when they clicked it. You may have at least one word or four words at most for the label. With the language, since English is the most commonly today, it would be good to use English words but it still depends on what the language is used on the website generally.

Putting urgency also helps visitors to immediately call an action to your button. Try to take a look at this:

PDFTiger

What PDFTiger did is it placed a timer on when the promo will end. Putting time duration of promos is a good way on enticing your visitors to already buy the product. Another way of putting urgency is offering freebies as soon as they purchase the product.

2. Choose the Best Font, Size and Color

With the choice of font size, it would be good if you use Sans Serif typefaces such as Arial, Helvetica or Tahoma. They are easy to read on the screen.

Take a look at this screenshot:

CakePHP

Though the size of the Download button is large, it still looks professional. That’s what a good call-to-action button should be.

Ideally, a call-to-action button should be large in size but if you may want it smaller, you can have it in a contrasting color on the background of your website like this:

Yahoo!

The Download button you see on this screenshot is smaller compared with the Download button of the previous one but it can still be recognized easily by visitors for the color is contrasted with the background. Remember, the color should be prominent enough to attract your visitors that it contrasts the background of the website. I also recommend that you put a hover color change effect on your buttons.

3. Think of the right position

The positioning of buttons is also one thing you need to consider to have an effective call-to-action buttons.

Refer to this screenshot:

Twitter

On the website Twitter, the Sign Up button’s size is not that large but you can notice it as early as the website loads. Not only does the creator use contrasting color but also the button was placed in a good position. Notice that above the button is a text that briefly explains what visitors can get when they sign up.

Another good example is the Mozilla Firefox website:

Many developers have the connotation of just putting call-to-action buttons on the homepage of the website, remember that it should not only be limited on the homepage, rather try putting some call-to-action buttons on every page of the website.

Flickr

Like the website, Flickr, even when you click any links on the left panel side of the page the Create your free account button is always visible. Another thing, find a position on the part of the website where your button should not be overcrowded by other texts, images or buttons.

Inspiration: Great Call-To-Action Button Examples

I want to share with you some websites with good call-to-action buttons to give you more ideas if you will be doing your own. Go and take a look.

You may click on the image to go to the website.

PicsEngine

In the screenshot below, you can see that it has two call-to-action buttons: the Video Tour button and the Sign up button. On the website of picsengine, the Sign up button was more emphasized by making it color green on which it contrasts with the background of the website. In this case, they are giving the visitor either to take a peak of the website or to sign up already.

LifeTreeCreative

In this website, lifetreecreative emphasized the call-to-action button by making it large in size, even larger than the logo. The color and positioning also made it visible than with any other elements of the site.

Xero

Another good example would be the website of Xero. Not only it chose good colors, but they also put the button under a text that lures each visitor and are curious about the product. So the next thing they are going to do is to click that alluring button.

Donor Tools

Same as Xero, Donor Tools used texts that can attract visitors, especially the text, "it takes about 20 seconds". This gives the visitor a notion that the process won't take too long. Also, I suggest that you position your button in a place where there are texts that can entice your visitors with its purpose but not that it gets over board.

Medifire

Look at what Mediafire did good strategies with their buttons. When the site loads, the first thing your eyes will see is the Upload to MediaFire button.

And when you scroll down, you will still see buttons with good colors, shapes, position and captivating texts around them.

Google?

Yes. Google always stands out, of course their buttons too. That’s maybe one of the reasons why it’s the most used search engine.

Sprouter

How about this one? Sprouter used light and refreshing colors that may attract visitors and also that big call to action button. Putting the word, “Free” is also a good strategy used here to get visitors' attention to sign up.

Magento

Magento used drop down on their buttons that gives users other options. In my opinion, if the colors of the buttons are different with the motif of the template, which is orange, I think they will be more noticeable.

Atebits

There are a lot of things that caught my attention with atebits. One is the logo and two is their cute but informative blue call-to-action buttons. Using light colors gives captivating effects to users, and also when you add brief information on what will they get when those buttons are clicked.

VoltRank

If you want to have an easy way to dominate Google rankings, try VoltRank. Though it used dull color for the background, by choosing Red as the color of the button makes you electrified to create an account. If the button is larger than its current size, more visitors can be attracted by it.

ANZ

I think it is better if the call-to-action buttons of ANZ website, an online banking system, have it in different color such as Green or Orange to make them more obvious.

APPTEMPLATES

Have AppTemplates as one good example in putting appealing statements. This can be a great strategy to have effective call-to-action buttons.

Senzoo

Senzo, a fan funding platform has a simple web template that made their buttons and other elements catchy.

1Password

Have you forgotten your password? Try 1Password. Because of the texts above the two buttons, this website makes one of those with good call-to-action buttons. I like the concept of putting blue outline on the Buy it now! button. Exclamation mark (!) also helps in enticing visitors.

Remember the milk

This site highlights the Sign Up Now! button by positioning it in the middle of the page that is surrounded by informative texts to the users.

Transmissions

Transmissions gives two actions to the user: the primary and secondary action. Take a look at this screenshot, the primary action here is for the visitor to buy the product, Logbook. While the secondary action is to download the software for trial purposes.

TasteBook

This is a good site if you are looking for a stunning and unique gift for your love ones. As good as how they make use of big fonts, eye-catching image and large in size on their call-to-actions buttons. It would be better if the button has a hover effect though.

Storenvy

Take a look at what creative Storenvy created their website. In this example, the developer used a round one for the call-to-action button, Join Now. It was emphasized by the white outline surrounding it, the small icons and informative texts.

WUFOO

Wufoo, an online form builder is a good example when it comes to positioning. Buttons are positioned in a good space where there are not much contents cluttered. Good choice of colors make those buttons also very effective.

Rocket Cart

Take a look at this screenshot I got from Rocket Cart’s website. The choice of color is good and how they position their buttons. But the way I look at it, making those buttons larger and also the font size will be better in appearance and attraction.

CodeCanyon

Having contrasting colors for the background and buttons with nice hover effect makes codecanyon a good example.

Coding Robots

What I like about CODING ROBOTS buttons is the Free Download button was given emphasis than with the Buy Now button. It gives the notion to each visitor that you can try it first before purchasing the product. See screenshot below.

Snap

On this website, SNAP may use other colors for their buttons to make them more noticeable as soon the page loads.

BaseCamp

The arrow pointing on the button is very helpful in letting visitors notice the See Plans and Pricing button. Moreover, the time-frame estimated in signing up grants the user a fast-based process. I hope you, too, can manage to create successful call-to-action buttons like what Basecamp have.

BandThemer

This button bandthemer site has is a good example on how can you inform visitors on what information they can expect to see upon clicking the button.

InstantLoop

Aside from the cute logo, I find InstantLoop choice of color and call-to-action button really good. The

LiveResto

This site is a good example on how images are used to draw attention to the button. In this screenshot, the chef image is pointing his finger on the button. What a cool strategy isn’t? To add up on to that, it has also a text that informs the user the product is for free and they can use it for 30 days.

Traffik

Another example here is the website Traffik, a content management system. The use of contrasting colors on your button and label is also a nice strategy. Like in this example, the button is Black, but because of the Yellow font color of the label, it still stands out.

Positive Impressions

In my point of view, Positive Impressions should put some improvements on their buttons to better stress out those and attract visitors’ attention. On the good side, buttons are put in good positions that is below the information of each.

Mobile cubix

Putting a round outline on the read more button then leading it on the application really got my attention. What a cool strategy.

Summary

To sum these things up, just remember:

• One to four words is enough for the label, make it direct and simple.
• If possible, make the button large and will still look professional.
• Use color for the button that is alternative on the website’s background.
• You can use alluring texts, as long as it does not gets cluttered with the button.
• Position the button in a space that it will stand out from the rest of the website’s elements.

Call-to-action buttons are not just buttons. Attracting customers and gathering clicks from these means more profits for you. So, you better create those buttons very well.

I hope this article helps you a lot :)

Charts and graphs are graphical representation of data that organizes and represents a set of numerical or qualitative data used for analysis such as bar graphs, line charts and pie chart. Are you tired of lame and not-easy to deal with graphs and charts?

There are techniques that will lessen the static images and create more accessible content of the charts and graphs. Techniques in using CSS, jQuery plugins ,and online chart tool generator are some of the few things you can do about your charts and graphs.
Here are some techniques to style up you charts and graphs:

1. CSS Charts and Graphs

CSS (Cascading Style Sheet )is a style sheet language used to describe the presentation semantics (the look and formatting) of a document written in a markup language. – Wikipedia. It affects the display properties of a web page.CSS deals with HTML, XHTML and XML language. Here are techniques that will create a style on your charts and graphs. I think that the most useful feature of the CSS is that the style and layout are removed on the HTML page making the size smaller that reduces bandwidth requirements and faster download for your visitors.

Browser issue is one of the disadvantage of the CCS because it does not work consistently in different browsers. Earlier versions of Internet Explorer and Netscape will just display a plain html page not like Firefox and new versions of Netscape.

CSS Vertical Bar Graph
A technique that uses unordered list element to achieve the height and width. The positioning of the 4 quarters using the ul element of position: absolute. The div element that uses to create the horizontal bars. To add the colors, go all the way with the CSS color image elements.

Pure CSS Line Graph
Line graph is the simplest way of data representation. If you are not comfortable using scripting language to create your line graph, this CSS line graph will give you an ease in presenting your data. Combination of your CSS sprites and positioning that creates a simulation of the line graph. This technique used definition list element (DL) that represents the coordinate system.

View Demo

CSS Stacked Bar Graph
There are lots of posting about bar graph but not with stacked bar graph. Stacked bar graphs are commonly used in placing the most uniform series in the lower part so it’s easier to gain insight about the data. HTML and CSS come hand in hand in creating a CSS stacked bar graph. It uses definition list to present the data in organize way. The <dt> tags and <dd> tags are used to dynamically access the content of the graph and it easier to style using the CSS.

Creating Pie Chart with CSS3
Pie chart or a circle graph is a circular chart divided into sectors that illustrates proportion. It is usually in percentage. This technique works only in Firefox, Chrome , Safari update, and Opera because it uses CSS3. Using the div element to create the circle and the radius. By using the clip property to show only the half of the circle. By stacking all the pie element and rotating it with its percentage amount and adding color property you’ll get that pie chart.

View Demo

Complex CSS Bar Graph
Love, Education , War Craft are few things to graph. Is it in a good side or bad side? With this complex bar graph , an indicator that uses a marker position to determine your data. The color scheme also help in identifying the data from lighter shade to darker shade. With the help of the <dl>, <dt>, and <dd> tag incorporated into CSS , your ready to mark.

2. jQuery Plugins for Charts and Graphs

jQuery is a cross-browser JavaScript library designed to simplify the client-side scripting of HTML. Wikipedia.
jQuery plugins are tools to extend the functionality of the applications. These are easy to install plugins that will lessen out your work in coding. Here are the 3 most used jQuery plugins for charts and graphs. The advantages of the jQuery are lightweight,easy and fast , write less but do more in functionality, cross – browser compatibility, easy integrations with applications and to cite a few.

Flot
Flot is a pure JavaScript plotting library for jQuery that creates nice looking charts on the client-side. It includes simplicity on its interface, features like zooming and mouse tracking, but it’s limit in plotting.
Flot Demo || Flot Download

Features:

• Creates graphical plots
• Special Features: Zooming and Mouse Tracking
• Simple and easy to use
• Supports:Internet Explorer 6/7/8 with the HTML canvas tag (the excanvas JavaScript emulation helper is used for IE),Firefox 2.x+,Safari 3.0+,Opera 9.5+ and Konqueror 4.x+

jQuery Sparklines
Sparklines is a chart tool more on information statistics. It is usually used for stock market activities, temperature or measurements. Edward Tufte describes sparklines as “data-intense, design-simple, word-sized graphics”. These are the following that you need in your web page: 1.The jQuery JavaScript library loaded into the page – At least version 1.2 or higher 2.A copy of jquery.sparkline.js loaded into the page which you can download from this site. 3. An inline tag on the page within which to display the sparkline (eg. ) 4.A call to the sparkline() function to actually display the sparkline.

The features include line chart, bar chart, tristate chart, discrete chart, bullet graph, pie graph, and box plot.The plug in was written by Gareth Watts. I found out that the Sparklines could also be use in Microsoft Excel 2010 to show the data trends.

Sparklines Demo || Sparkline Download

Features:

• Creates small inline charts
• Customize size and colors
• Numerous Style: Inline Graphs, Bar Chart, Tristate Chart, Discrete Chart, Box Plot, Pie Chart and Bullet Chart
• Added Functions: Mouse Speed, Negative Values, threshold
• Supports: Firefox 2+,Safari 3+,Opera 9,Google Chrome, and Internet Explorer 6, 7 & 8

jqPlot

jqPlot is a jQuery extension to render completely client-side JavaScript charts in your web pages. It is one of the most usable plugins for charts because of its features.

jqPlot Demo || jqPlot Download

Features:

• Numerous chart style options.
• Date axes with customizable formatting.
• Up to 9 Y axes.
• Rotated axis text.
• Automatic trend line computation.
• Tooltips and data point highlighting.
• Sensible defaults for ease of use.
• Supports:IE 6, 7 & 8,Firefox,Safari, and Opera

3. Flash- based Charts and Graphs

Flash is a tool that creates interactive and animated applications in your Website. Animations or movable images are fun and create more impact on the viewers.

Fusion Chart Free

Fusion Chart is a free Flash Charting tool that let you create animated and interactive Flash Charts for your web applications, desktop application and presentations.

Fusion Chart Demo || Fusion Chart Download

Features:

• Most of the basic charting needs
• 22 popular charts like Column, Line, Pie, Bar, Area, Stacked, Candlestick and Funnel Chart, that look the same across all browsers
• Animated and interactive charts that make your applications look "wow"
• Works with PHP, ASP.NET, JSP, ColdFusion, Python, RoR, simple HTML pages or even PowerPoint Presentations
• All the charts can pull data from any database and are AJAX enabled

amCharts

AmCharts offers really a great range and customize set of charts. Dynamic used of this web-based product will surely generate your data into a great chart.

amCharts Demo || amCharts Download

Features:

• Chart Styles: Pie & Donut, Line & Area, Column & Bar and Scatter & Bubble
• Can be generated in 2D or 3D charts
• Extract data from CSV or XML files
• Read dynamic data generated with PHP, .NET, Java, Ruby on Rails, Perl, ColdFusion, and many other programming languages.

AnyChart

AnyChart offers a dynamic Flash-based charting component. It is an XML driven that is compatible in any data format It is not a free tool but it offers a trial version for the first time users but if you want to maximize the potential of this tool, $649.00 is all you need to have a license purchase.

AnyChart Demo || AnyChart Download

Features:

• Cross-browser and cross-platform
• Generate Pie, Bar, Line, Candlestick, Area, Column, Bubble, Spline, Dot/Marker, Scatter, Candlestick and Doughnut charts
• Can be used with ASP.NET, ASP, PHP, JSP, ColdFusion, Ruby on Rails, simple HTML pages and also PowerPoint presentations.

XML/SWF Charts

XML/SWF Charts provides flexible and dynamic chart generating tool that output best graphic quality.

XML/SWF Demo || XML/SWF Download

Features:

• Quick generation of charts and graphs from static or dynamic data (any scripting language)
• Full updates and data streaming without reloading the web page.
• Interactive scrolling (any number of data-points), drill-down, 3D rotation, links, guides, labels, etc.
• Animated transitions and quality Flash graphics, including anti-aliased fonts, transparency, shadow, bevel, glow, and blur.
• Full screen mode, scalable charts, printable charts, and bitmap export.
• Flash applications, web applications, and support for Javascript communication.
• Supports unicode text to display special characters and multi-languages.
• Variety types of charts

4.Online Charts and Graphs Generator

Are you tired of coding and just want to generate the charts and graphs you always wanted?

Here are some of the useful charts and graphs generator:

Max’s Chart

Max’s Chart is an easy to use chart generator that generates CSS output that you can also edit for customizing your own style.

DIY Chart

DIY (Do It Yourself) Chart is a web-based tool that lets you create your charts and graphs in any scripting language you want from static to dynamic one. It offers features that is user-friendly , different type of charts, support multiple data and supports and language.

Kid’s Zone

Who said that graphs and charts are never fun to kids? This is the best and easy way to use to tool for young at heart.With a friendly graph creating tutorial, surely kids will love this for their homework.

Onlinecharttool

Design and share your graphs for free. The best way to share numerous type of charts and graphs are for free.

Highcharts

Highcharts is a charting library that is written in pure JavaScript. . Highcharts currently supports line, spline, area, column, bar, pie and scatter chart types.

Google Chart Generator

Ready to use chart generator. Just input the required fields and *poof* your graph is ready for presentation.

Statistical Analysis is never been fun but with the help of these existing tools and scripting your presentation will be way out easier. Just one code or click away your presentation will be the talk about in your meetings. Whatever techniques you want to use, try to experiment and find the best technique or tool your comfortable working in.