Website Design Chicago Strategy #8: Write Clear Calls to Action That Drive Results

Even the most beautiful website in Chicago won’t convert visitors into leads or customers without a clear, compelling call to action (CTA). Strategy #8 is all about writing CTAs that not only capture attention—but actually drive your audience to take action.

A CTA is any prompt that encourages your website visitor to take the next step. Whether that’s scheduling a consultation, signing up for a newsletter, calling your office, or requesting a quote—it should be obvious, action-oriented, and easy to do. Without it, you’re leaving conversions up to chance.

In a bustling market like Chicago, users are moving fast. They’re comparing multiple businesses, checking reviews, and browsing on mobile devices while commuting or multitasking. If your CTA isn’t clear and compelling, they’ll bounce and choose the competitor who made the next step easier.

Let’s start with placement. CTAs should appear multiple times throughout your website:
  • Above the fold (the first screen visitors see without scrolling)
  • At the end of every key section
  • Inside popups or sticky bars for important offers
  • In your header or navigation menu
  • On every product or service page
  • At the bottom of blog posts

You want to give visitors several opportunities to take action, without being pushy. The key is to strike a balance—be visible, but not overwhelming.

Next is clarity. Your CTA should make it obvious what the visitor is getting and what happens next. Vague CTAs like “Click Here” or “Learn More” don’t drive urgency or confidence. Instead, use direct phrases that highlight value and outcome:
  • “Schedule Your Free Website Demo”
  • “Get a Custom Quote Today”
  • “Book Your Chicago Consultation Now”
  • “Download the Free SEO Checklist”
  • “Call Now for a Free Design Review”

Pairing your CTA with supporting text can make it even stronger. For example:
“Want to see what we can build for your Chicago business? Schedule your free custom website demonstration—no commitment needed.”

This extra sentence answers the question in your visitor’s mind: “Why should I do this?” By removing friction and offering something specific and risk-free, you increase conversions significantly.

Design also matters. Use contrasting colors to make CTA buttons stand out from the rest of your content. Make sure the font is legible, the button is large enough to tap on mobile, and the language is consistent across pages.

Don’t be afraid to use urgency or scarcity in your CTAs. Words like “Today,” “Now,” or “Limited Time” add a psychological nudge. For example,
“Spots are limited—book your free strategy session today.”
This kind of messaging works especially well for Chicago professionals with limited availability—like consultants, agencies, or local service providers.

If you offer different services, create tailored CTAs for each one. A CTA for a restaurant website design page might say, “Let’s Design a Menu-Focused Site That Drives Reservations,” while a lawyer site CTA could say, “Get a Professional Website That Builds Trust and Gets Calls.”

Also, test out secondary CTAs. Not every visitor is ready to book a call right away, so give them a lower-commitment option, such as:
  • “Download Our Portfolio”
  • “Read Our Client Case Studies”
  • “Watch a Demo Video”
  • “Get a Free Website Audit”

These soft CTAs keep leads engaged in your funnel, even if they’re not ready to commit yet.

Make sure your CTAs are mobile-friendly. Many Chicago users will be tapping buttons on their phones, so test them across devices. If a CTA isn’t clickable, loads slowly, or gets buried beneath other content on mobile, it’s costing you conversions.

Finally, use analytics to monitor how your CTAs are performing. Tools like Hotjar or Google Analytics can help you see which buttons get the most clicks and where users drop off. If a CTA isn’t working, change the wording, color, or placement—and test again.

A CTA isn’t just a button—it’s your conversion engine. It guides your visitors from passive browsing to active interest, and eventually, to becoming paying clients. In a city like Chicago, where attention spans are short and competition is fierce, your call to action needs to be one of the strongest elements on your site.

Want a CTA that actually converts visitors into clients? Schedule Your Free Custom Website Demonstration and we’ll show you real-world examples of CTA-driven websites built to turn clicks into conversations—all tailored to your Chicago business.
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