Sticky CTAs: Keep Important Actions Visible While Users Scroll

Learn how to use sticky call-to-action buttons that stay visible as users scroll through your content, making it easier for them to take action without hunting around your page.

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Last Edited Time
Jul 2, 2025 04:15 PM
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Platform
Web Design
Category
Design Theory
Topic
CTA
AI summary
Sticky CTAs are fixed buttons that remain visible while users scroll, enhancing user engagement. They should be subtle, ideally placed at the bottom, and match the site's design. Always ensure they are dismissible and test for mobile compatibility to improve usability.
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Sticky CTAs: Keep Important Actions Visible While Users Scroll

Learn how to use sticky call-to-action buttons that stay visible as users scroll through your content, making it easier for them to take action without hunting around your page.
Tags: web design, UX design, sticky CTAs, user engagement, call to action, mobile-friendly design

Quick Summary

  • Sticky CTAs keep important buttons visible as users scroll down long pages
  • Keep them subtle so they don't interrupt the reading experience
  • Bottom placement works best, especially on mobile
  • Make sure they're relevant to your content and easy to close
  • Test on both desktop and mobile devices

What Are Sticky CTAs?

Sticky CTAs are buttons or bars that stay fixed in position while users scroll through your content. Instead of forcing someone to scroll back to the top to find your "Get Started" button, a sticky CTA keeps that action visible throughout their visit.
Think of them as your website's helpful reminder. When someone's reading a long blog post about your services, they can click "Book a Call" without losing their place or having to remember where they saw the button.

How to Design Sticky CTAs That Actually Work

Keep Them Subtle

The worst sticky CTAs scream for attention and block your content. The best ones feel like they belong there. Keep your design slim and simple. A thin bar with clean text works better than a chunky button with flashing colours.
Your sticky CTA should complement your content, not compete with it.

Bottom Placement Is Your Friend

Put your sticky CTA at the bottom of the screen, especially on mobile. This feels natural because it's where people expect to find action buttons on their phones. It's also less likely to cover important content.
Bottom placement works well on desktop too. Users can still see your main content while having easy access to your call-to-action.

Make It Match Your Site

Your sticky CTA should look like it belongs on your website. Use the same fonts, colours, and button styles you use elsewhere. This consistency makes your site feel professional and trustworthy.
A bright red sticky bar on an otherwise minimal, navy website will stick out like a sore thumb (and not in a good way).

Technical Tips

To create a sticky CTA, you'll need some CSS. The basic approach uses position: fixed to keep the element in place while the page scrolls. Here's what you need to consider:
  • Relevance: Only show the sticky CTA on pages where it makes sense
  • Close button: Always include a way to dismiss it
  • Mobile testing: Check how it looks on different screen sizes
  • Loading speed: Keep the code lightweight

Common Questions

How do I add a sticky CTA to my website? You'll need CSS to fix the element's position, or use a plugin if you're on WordPress. The exact method depends on your platform.
Should sticky CTAs be dismissible? Yes, always. Include a small 'x' button so users can close it if they want. Some people find them distracting, so give them the option to remove it.
Do sticky CTAs work on all devices? They can, but you need to test them properly. What works on desktop might feel cramped on mobile, so adjust the size and positioning for different screens.

Key Terms

Sticky CTA: A button or bar that stays visible in a fixed position while users scroll through your page
Mobile-friendly: Designed to work well on phones and tablets, with appropriate sizing and touch targets
Dismiss: The ability for users to close or hide the sticky element, usually with a close button

Getting It Right

Sticky CTAs work best when they solve a real problem for your users. If you have long-form content and an important action you want people to take, they're worth considering. Just remember that subtlety wins over aggressive promotion every time.
Test your sticky CTAs with real users if possible. What feels helpful to you might feel annoying to your visitors. The goal is to make their experience better, not to push your agenda at the expense of usability.

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