Changing the send button in apps and websites can help improve the user experience and conversion rates. The send button is one of the most important calls-to-action, so optimizing it should be a priority. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about changing the send button.
What is the send button?
The send button, also known as a submit button or call-to-action (CTA), is the button users click to complete an action on a website or in an app. For example, on an email client, the send button submits the email. On a contact form, the send button submits the form. On an ecommerce site, the send button adds an item to the shopping cart or completes the checkout process.
The send button is one of the most important elements for conversions. It prompts the user to take the desired action you want them to complete on your site or app. As a result, the design, placement, and text of the send button can have a big impact on your conversion rates.
Why is the send button important?
The send button is arguably the most important call-to-action button on websites and apps. Here are some key reasons why the send button is so important:
- Completes the conversion process – The send button allows users to complete the desired action, like submitting a form or making a purchase. Without the send button being prominent and clear, users may get confused and not convert.
- Indicates the next step – The send button shows users the action they need to take after filling out a form or adding items to a cart. It guides them to the next step.
- Reduces friction – A clear send button reduces friction in the conversion process. When users know what to click to complete an action, it’s more seamless.
- Boosts conversions – Optimization of the send button, including its design, placement and text can lift conversion rates significantly.
In summary, the send button is arguably the most important call-to-action on site and apps. It completes the conversion process and guides users on the next step. Optimizing the send button can have a big influence on conversion rates.
How to change the text on the send button
One of the easiest ways to improve your send button is to change the text. Here are some tips for optimizing the text on your send button:
- Use action-driven text – Text like “Submit”, “Send”, “Continue”, and “Checkout” make it clear what the button does.
- Keep it short – Long button text can make the button cluttered. Ideally keep send button text to 1-3 words.
- Use the verb – Include an action verb like “Send”, “Submit”, or “Buy” to motivate users.
- Refer to user benefit – Text like “Get my free trial” and “Join the waitlist” describe user benefits.
- Use urgency – Phrases like “Submit order now” or “Buy tickets today” add urgency.
Keep in mind your audience, brand voice, and the context of the page when choosing text for your send button. Test different variations to see which converts best.
Examples of effective send button text
- Send
- Continue
- Submit
- Sign Up
- Download Now
- Buy Now
- Start Free Trial
- Subscribe
- Join Now
How to change the send button design
In addition to optimizing the text, the visual design of your send button also matters. Follow these best practices when modifying the design of your send button:
- Make it prominent – Use size, color, and white space to ensure the send button stands out on the page.
- Use contrast – The send button should contrast well against the background color of the page or section it’s on.
- Use color appropriately – Colors like green, orange, red or blue grab attention. Avoid distracting neon hues.
- Make it scannable – Design the button so users can locate it easily when scanning the page.
- Avoid clutter – Don’t crowd other elements around the send button.
- Add whitespace – White space around the button makes it more visible.
- Use shapes and shadows – This can make your send button appear clickable.
- Test variations – Try A/B testing different design options to see what converts best.
Keep your branding and style guide in mind when modifying the visual design of your send button. Changes should align with your overall aesthetic.
Examples of great send button design
Here are examples of highly optimized send buttons from leading sites:
| Site | Send Button Design |
|---|---|
| Amazon | Orange button with bold text reading “Add to Cart” |
| Blue button with text “Join” | |
| Mailchimp | Round corner green button with text “Get Started – Free Forever” |
Where to place the send button
Placement is also key for send buttons. Follow these guidelines on where to position your send button for maximum conversions:
- Above the fold – Keep the send button visible without excessive scrolling required.
- At the end of forms – Place the send button at the completion of multi-step forms.
- Right-aligned – Right-aligning tend to have higher conversion rates than left-aligned.
- On blank space – Put the send button on empty, clean areas of the page.
- Consistent pages – Keep the send button location consistent across your site.
- Mobile-friendly – Ensure the send button is visible and functions well on mobile.
Avoid placing your send button:
- Near page edges – Keep sufficient whitespace around the send button.
- Near unrelated images or distractions – Don’t crowd the send button.
- In repetitive positions – Change up send button placement periodically for testing.
- At the very top or bottom – Completely avoid page extremes.
Test different placements on your pages to determine the optimal position for your send button.
How to make the send button more clickable
There are several techniques you can use to increase the clickability of your send button and motivate users to convert:
- Increase size – Make the button slightly larger than regular text links.
- Use contrasting color – Pick a bright contrasting button color that draws attention.
- Add whitespace – Provide sufficient whitespace around the button.
- Use shadows – Adding shadows gives the button a 3D effect.
- Animate on hover – Have the button change color or size when users hover over it.
- Include indicator arrows – Arrows pointing to the button can guide users.
- Round the corners – Sharp edges make buttons appear less clickable.
- Add microcopy – Include helper text like “Click here to get started!”.
- Limit distraction – Eliminate competing buttons or links near the CTA.
The more clickable you make your send button appear, the more likely users will be to click on it and convert.
How to A/B test your send button
A/B testing different versions of your send button is the best way to optimize it. Follow these steps to A/B test your send button:
- Identify a hypothesis – Determine what you want to test, like button color, shape, or text.
- Create variations – Design different versions of the send button to test.
- Set up the test – Use an A/B testing tool to set up the experiment by variant.
- Run the test – Allow the test to run until it reaches statistical significance.
- Analyze the results – Review the click-through-rate (CTR) and conversion rate for insights.
- Pick a winner – The variation that has the highest CTR and conversion rate wins.
- Implement – Launch the winning send button design permanently.
Be sure to only test one element at a time. For example, test different button text options before testing various shapes. This makes it easier to determine what specific change drove improvement.
What to test with your send button
Here are some key send button elements you may want to A/B test:
- Text
- Size
- Color
- Shape (rectangular, rounded, circular)
- Placement on page
- Visual design
- Microcopy
Continuously testing your send button will help you optimize it over time and maximize conversions.
Examples of great send buttons
Here are some great examples of highly optimized send buttons from top brands:
LinkedIn uses a prominent blue send button with rounded edges. It has ample whitespace around it and clear microcopy above reading “Create your account”.
Booking.com
Booking.com tested over 40 shades of green for their main send button. They chose a bright green that contrasts well and grabs user attention.
Hulu
Hulu’s send button uses a bright contrasting yellow/gold color. The text “Select” clearly indicates the action to users. A box shadow gives it depth.
Amazon
Amazon’s add to cart button uses a bold orange that contrasts with the blue links on their site. The button text “Add to Cart” clearly describes the action.
Tools for modifying your send button
Here are some tools that can help you edit your send button:
- Photoshop – Design and edit send button visuals like shape, color and shadows.
- Illustrator – Create and iterate on send button designs.
- CSS – Use CSS code to customize send button styles, positioning, animations.
- HTML – Modify send button code like text, microcopy, and HTML attributes.
- Figma – Collaborate on send button designs and layouts.
- A/B testing tools – Test different versions of send buttons and analyze performance.
Many email service providers, website builders, landing page tools and other platforms also allow you to customize your send buttons through their GUI without needing to code.
Conclusion
Optimizing your send button is a high impact way to lift conversions. Follow the tips in this guide to change your send button text, improve the design visuals, test different placements, make it more clickable and run A/B tests. Pay close attention to your send button and iterate on it over time. A great send button guides users to convert and drives results for your business.