Ghost Buttons: What Website Designers Need To Know
Many things can affect the page rank of your website on search engines, and high-quality web design is an important consideration. Search engines want to offer users websites that use strong design elements, and search algorithms reward sites where visitors spend more time and click through multiple pages. As such, website designers should continue to invest in the latest high-quality design elements. The ghost button is a relatively new concept in web design, but many designers are using this simple feature to enhance the user experience. If you're looking to enhance your website's design and page rank, learn how and when to incorporate ghost buttons on your pages.
What is a ghost button?
A ghost button is a basic shape with a transparent background and a thin solid border. The name refers to the way that the button almost seems to blend into the overall page composition in a ghostly fashion. In fact, although the concept sounds as though it would make the object difficult to see, you can actually attract a user's attention to a ghost button with the right type of design.
Ghost buttons are very different from conventional website buttons. You need to consider every element of the design, including the position of the button on the screen, the color of the outline and font, and the text label that you use.
What type of website designs work well with ghost buttons?
A ghost button is particularly effective on a page that features a solid backdrop, as the object doesn't interfere with any images on the screen. In many site designs, the ghost button is the only element on the screen apart from the main image, and this helps to draw the user's eye. As such, a ghost button is a great way to direct users to what you want them to do next, and can increase the time a user spends on your site (which pleases search engine algorithms).
Single-page websites work well with ghost buttons, as well as home pages that want clean, simple and clutter-free design elements to direct users to other pages. Ghost buttons also pair well with video content, and can help website designers create sleek, modern and minimalistic designs.
What are the key design elements for an effective ghost button?
It's easy to diminish the effect of a ghost button with poor design elements, and website owners should focus on a clean, simple design.
Attributes of an effective ghost button include:
- Hollow
- Thin outline
- Black or white outline and text
- Larger than conventional website buttons
- Prominent position on the page
It's critical that text within a ghost button has a clear call-to-action. That is, users should know exactly what will happen when they click the button. You should normally only use one or two words.
For example, "Watch Video", "Sign Up" and "Contact Us" are all strong ghost button calls-to-action. "Click Here For More Information" is too wordy, while "Next" is probably not specific enough.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of ghost buttons?
Ghost buttons can enhance your web design in several ways. They're simple, and support a clean look and feel. You can embed them into almost any design without interfering with other images or page content. They give users a clear focal point, and can help drive visitors to a clear call-to-action. It's also easy to design and develop ghost buttons.
Some web pages need a lot of buttons and navigation tools, and you will clutter the page if you use too many ghost buttons. It's also important to consider your target audience. Some web users will not intuitively understand how a ghost button works, which could frustrate some visitors. You could test it by buy site traffic to test it out. It's also harder to find and use black or white ghost buttons on contrasting images.
Ghost buttons are an increasingly popular design element that can help give your website a fresh, contemporary feel, and can help visitors navigate your pages more freely. If you're looking for simple tools that encourage people to spend more time on your pages, consider how ghost buttons could enhance the user experience.
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