What Is A Call To Action (CTA)? Driving Conversions For Women Entrepreneurs
- Kimberly Holder
- 6 days ago
- 8 min read
In This Article:
If you've ever felt like your website looks beautiful but isn't converting visitors into clients, the issue might not be your design or your offer. It might be your call to action.
A call to action, or CTA, is one of the most powerful tools in your marketing strategy for your business. It guides your audience from passive browsing to intentional action, whether that's booking a discovery call, downloading a lead magnet, or signing up for your services.
At Studio Holder, a women owned marketing agency specializing in branding for women entrepreneurs, we've seen firsthand how the right CTA can transform a website from pretty to profitable. In this guide, we'll break down what a call to action is, why it matters, and how to craft CTAs that align with your brand and drive real results.
What Is a Call to Action?
A call to action is a prompt that tells your website visitors, email readers, or social media followers exactly what you want them to do next. It's the bridge between interest and action.
CTAs can appear as buttons, hyperlinks, or text prompts. They use action-oriented language like "Book Your Call," "Download the Guide," or "Get Started Today." The goal is simple: remove confusion and make the next step clear.
According to HubSpot's research on conversion optimization, personalized CTAs perform 202% better than generic ones. For women owned businesses, this means tailoring your CTAs to reflect your unique brand voice and the needs of your ideal clients.
In the context of website design and marketing services, CTAs are essential for guiding user experience and maximizing conversions. Without them, even the most elevated website can feel directionless.
Why CTAs Matter for Women Entrepreneurs
When you're building a women owned business, every element of your marketing strategy for entrepreneurs needs to work intentionally. CTAs are no exception.
Here's why calls to action are critical for marketing for women entrepreneurs:
They clarify the customer journey. A well-placed CTA removes guesswork and tells your audience exactly how to move forward with you.
They increase conversions. Studies from WordStream show that adding a single, clear CTA to your homepage can increase conversions by up to 80%.
They reflect your brand. Your CTA language is an extension of your brand voice. A polished, empowering CTA aligns with branding for female entrepreneurs and reinforces trust.
They drive measurable results. CTAs make it easy to track what's working in your marketing and design strategy, giving you data to refine your approach.
For business owners who invest in branding and marketing services, strong CTAs are the difference between a site that educates and a site that converts.
At Studio Holder, our focus when designing your site and SEO-optimizing it goes beyond making your site look good and driving traffic. Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) is built into every web design project and ongoing SEO strategy.
Ready to elevate your brand with an elevated website that converts? Contact Studio Holder today to discuss your website design and marketing needs.
Types of Calls to Action
Not all CTAs serve the same purpose. Depending on where your audience is in their journey, you'll want to use different types of calls to action.
Primary CTAs
These are your high-priority actions, the ones that drive revenue or build your email list. Examples include "Book a Discovery Call," "Shop Now," or "Get Your Free Brand Audit."
Primary CTAs should be prominent, strategically placed, and aligned with your marketing strategy for your business.
Secondary CTAs
These are lower-commitment actions that nurture your audience without asking for a sale. Think "Read the Blog," "Follow on Instagram," or "Download the Free Guide."
Secondary CTAs are ideal for website visitors who aren't ready to commit but want to stay connected. They support your elevated marketing efforts by keeping potential clients engaged.
Lead Magnets
A lead magnet CTA invites visitors to exchange their email address for valuable content, like a checklist, template, or guide. This is a powerful tool for marketing for business owners looking to build their audience.
Exit-Intent CTAs
These appear when a visitor is about to leave your site. They offer one last opportunity to capture attention, often with a special offer or resource.
Where to Place CTAs on Your Website
CTA placement is just as important as CTA copy. If your call to action is hidden or poorly positioned, even the best messaging won't convert.
Above the Fold
Your homepage hero section should include a clear, compelling CTA that immediately tells visitors what action to take. This is prime real estate for web design for women entrepreneurs.
Throughout Long-Form Content
Blog posts, service pages, and landing pages should include multiple CTAs. Readers engage with content at different paces, so offer conversion opportunities early, mid-page, and at the end.
In Your Navigation
Consider adding a CTA button to your website's main navigation. "Book a Call" or "Get Started" in the top menu ensures your CTA is visible on every page.
Footer
Don't overlook your footer. A simple CTA like "Let's work together" with a link to your contact page can capture visitors who've scrolled to the bottom.
Pop-Ups and Slide-Ins
When used sparingly, pop-ups and slide-ins can be effective for promoting lead magnets or special offers. Just ensure they enhance, rather than disrupt, the user experience.
How to Write Effective CTAs That Convert
The best CTAs are clear, actionable, and aligned with your brand. Here's how to write calls to action that feel elevated and drive results.
Use Action-Oriented Language
Start with a strong verb: "Download," "Book," "Start," "Join," "Discover." Action words create momentum and make the next step feel exciting.
Be Specific
Instead of "Learn More," try "Download Your Free SEO Checklist" or "Book Your Branding Discovery Call." Specificity reduces hesitation and increases clicks.
Create Urgency (Without Being Pushy)
Phrases like "Limited Spots Available" or "Start Today" encourage immediate action. For marketing for women owned businesses, urgency should feel empowering, not aggressive.
Align With Your Brand Voice
Your CTA should sound like you. If your brand is warm and approachable, "Let's Chat" works better than "Schedule Consultation." If your tone is polished and professional, "Book Your Discovery Call" might be a better fit.
At Studio Holder, we combine branding and SEO to ensure every element of your site, including your CTAs, reflects your unique voice and attracts your ideal clients.
Test and Optimize
According to Unbounce's landing page research, even small changes to CTA copy, color, or placement can significantly impact conversions. Use A/B testing to find what resonates with your audience.
Looking for marketing support to refine your website and boost conversions? Our website design and marketing services include strategic CTA placement and conversion optimization.
Common CTA Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced entrepreneurs make CTA mistakes that hurt conversions. Here's what to watch out for.
Too Many CTAs on One Page
When you offer too many choices, visitors experience decision fatigue. Stick to one primary CTA per page, with a secondary option if needed.
Vague or Generic Language
"Click Here" and "Submit" don't inspire action. Be clear about what happens next and why it matters.
Poor Visual Hierarchy
Your CTA should stand out. Use contrasting colors, whitespace, and button design to make it impossible to miss. This is where strong design and marketing expertise makes a difference.
Not Mobile-Optimized
Over 60% of website traffic comes from mobile devices, according to Statista. If your CTA buttons are too small or hard to tap on mobile, you're losing conversions.
Ignoring the Customer Journey
A first-time visitor isn't ready for a "Buy Now" CTA. Meet your audience where they are with CTAs that match their level of awareness and trust.
Elevate Your Marketing Strategy with Intentional CTAs
Your call to action is more than a button. It's an invitation, a guide, and a reflection of your brand. For women entrepreneurs building sustainable, profitable businesses, strong CTAs are essential.
At Studio Holder, we specialize in marketing and design services that combine strategy, branding, and SEO to create websites that don't just look elevated, they convert. Whether you're launching a new site or refining your existing one, we'll help you craft CTAs that align with your vision and drive real results.
Ready to take your marketing to the next level? Book your discovery call with Studio Holder and let's build a marketing strategy that works as hard as you do.
Frequently Asked Questions About CTAs
What is a call to action in marketing?
A call to action in marketing is a prompt that encourages your audience to take a specific action, such as booking a consultation, downloading a resource, or making a purchase. CTAs are essential for guiding the customer journey and driving conversions in your marketing strategy for entrepreneurs.
Where should I place CTAs on my website?
CTAs should be placed above the fold on your homepage, throughout long-form content like blog posts, in your navigation menu, and in your website footer. For web design for women entrepreneurs, strategic CTA placement ensures visitors always know what action to take next.
How do I write a CTA that converts?
To write a CTA that converts, use action-oriented language, be specific about what happens next, create a sense of urgency, and align the tone with your brand voice. Testing different versions through A/B testing can also help you optimize for better results. Our branding and marketing services include CTA strategy and optimization.
What's the difference between a primary and secondary CTA?
A primary CTA drives your main business goal, like booking a call or making a purchase. A secondary CTA offers a lower-commitment action, like reading a blog post or following you on social media. Both are important for a complete business and marketing strategy.
How many CTAs should I have on one page?
Focus on one primary CTA per page to avoid overwhelming visitors. You can include a secondary CTA if it serves a different purpose and doesn't compete with your main goal. This approach is central to effective marketing and entrepreneurship strategies.
Can CTAs really improve my website conversions?
Yes. Studies show that clear, well-placed CTAs can increase conversions by up to 80%. For marketing for women owned businesses, CTAs are essential for turning website visitors into paying clients. Working with a marketing partner who understands CTA strategy can significantly improve your results.
About Kimberly Holder, Founder & CEO
Kimberly Holder is the Founder & CEO of Studio Holder, a boutique marketing and web design studio serving women-led businesses. With over a decade of experience in marketing and public relations, and thirteen years as an entrepreneur herself, Kimberly blends strategy, creativity, and empathy to help women grow brands that feel as elevated as they are effective.
When she’s not crafting marketing strategies, Kimberly is spending time with her husband, children, and cats, traveling, shopping, or cooking something new in the kitchen.