Effective Buttons for Your Squarespace Site
TL;DR:
- Buttons drive user engagement and guide visitors to take action
- Keep button text under 25 characters for best results
- Place buttons strategically in headers, footers, banners, and sidebars
- Customize design to match your brand while maintaining readability
- Use Squarespace analytics to track button performance and optimize
Adding buttons to your Squarespace site gives visitors clear next steps. Whether you want people to donate, sign up, or contact you, buttons make it obvious what they should do next.
The key is keeping your button text short and direct. "Donate," "Learn More," or "Get Started" work better than lengthy phrases that get cut off or look cluttered.
Where to Place Your Buttons
Header and Banner Buttons
Header buttons sit at the top of your pages where visitors see them first. These work well for your most important action, like "Book Now" or "Shop."
To add header buttons in Squarespace 7.1, go to Design > Site Header and look for the button options. You can usually add one or two buttons depending on your template.
Banner buttons go on prominent images or sections. These catch attention because they combine visual impact with a clear call to action. The exact placement options depend on whether you're using Squarespace 7.1's Fluid Engine or an older template.
Footer and Sidebar Options
Footer buttons give visitors one last chance to take action after they've browsed your content. These work well for newsletter signups or contact forms.
If your template has sidebars, use that space for secondary actions. Sidebar buttons are less prominent than header buttons but still visible as people scroll through your content.
Button Types That Work
Form and newsletter buttons come built into those blocks, but you can customize their appearance to match your site. The standard "Submit" or "Subscribe" text usually works fine, but you can change it to something more specific like "Send Message" or "Join Our List."
For commerce sites, "Add to Cart" and "Buy Now" buttons are essential. Donation buttons work similarly but should use language like "Donate Now" or "Support Us."
Image buttons combine pictures with clickable actions. These work well for showcasing products or services where you want both visual appeal and functionality.
Customizing Your Buttons
Button design should match your site's overall look while staying readable. You can adjust colors, fonts, shapes, and sizes through your site's design settings.
Stick to colors that contrast well with your background. If your site uses a lot of white space, darker buttons stand out better. On darker backgrounds, lighter buttons work better.
Make sure your button text is readable on mobile devices. What looks good on desktop might be too small or cramped on phones.
Tracking Button Performance
Squarespace's analytics show you how often people click your buttons. Look for the "Form & Button Conversions" section to see which buttons work best.
If a button isn't getting clicks, try changing the text, color, or position. Sometimes moving a button higher up on the page or making it more prominent can double the click rate.
Test different button text to see what resonates with your audience. "Learn More" might work better than "Read More" for your specific visitors.
FAQs
How can I track button clicks in Squarespace?
Go to Analytics > Activity and look for "Form & Button Conversions." This shows you click rates for different buttons so you can see which ones work best.
What's the ideal length for button text?
Keep it under 25 characters. Shorter text looks cleaner and works better on mobile devices. "Get Started" beats "Click Here to Get Started Today."
Can I add buttons to any section of my site?
Yes, but the exact method depends on your Squarespace version. In 7.1, you can add button blocks almost anywhere. Older templates have more restrictions on placement.
Do button colors affect click rates?
Yes, contrast matters more than specific colors. Your button should stand out from the background while fitting your brand. Test different colors to see what works for your audience.
Jargon Buster
Button Blocks – Squarespace's tool for adding clickable buttons to your site
Fluid Engine – Squarespace 7.1's flexible layout system that lets you place elements anywhere
Form Blocks – Elements that collect visitor information, usually with a submit button
Call to Action (CTA) – Text that tells visitors what to do next, like "Buy Now" or "Contact Us"
Wrap-up
Good button design combines clear text, strategic placement, and appealing visuals. Start with your most important action and make that button prominent. Then add secondary buttons for other actions you want visitors to take.
Use Squarespace's analytics to see which buttons work and which don't. Small changes like different text or colors can make a big difference in how many people click.
The best buttons feel natural on your site while making it obvious what visitors should do next.
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