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How to Add a Button on WordPress: Step-by-Step Guide

Posted on by William Zheng

Ever wished you could guide your website visitors exactly where you want them to go—with just a click? Adding a button to your WordPress site might be the simple solution you need. Whether you’re promoting a product, gathering sign-ups, or highlighting key content, a well-placed button can make a big difference.

In this article, you’ll find an easy, step-by-step guide to adding buttons, along with handy tips to make them stand out and drive results.

Related Video

How to Add a Button on WordPress: The Complete Guide

Adding a button to your WordPress website is a simple yet powerful way to boost engagement, direct visitors to important pages, and improve your site’s design. Whether you want visitors to “Buy Now,” “Learn More,” “Download,” or “Contact Us,” a well-placed button can make all the difference.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn the easiest and most effective ways to add buttons to WordPress—no coding required. We’ll explore the steps using the default WordPress editor, discuss plugins for extra features, share customization tips, and answer your most common questions about WordPress buttons.

Why Add Buttons to Your WordPress Site?

Buttons are more than just decorative elements. Here’s why they matter:

  • Drive Actions: Guide users to take specific steps (purchase, subscribe, read more).
  • Enhance Navigation: Improve user experience and help visitors find important content.
  • Highlight Offers: Draw attention to promotions, downloads, or exclusive pages.
  • Professional Look: Buttons add visual appeal and modernize any layout.

Method 1: Add a Button Using the WordPress Gutenberg Editor

Most modern WordPress sites use the block editor (Gutenberg), which includes a built-in Button block. Here’s how to add a button in just a few clicks:

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Open Your Page or Post
  2. From the WordPress dashboard, go to “Pages” or “Posts” and open the one you want to edit.

  3. Click “Add New” to create a new page or post if needed.

  4. Add a Button Block

  5. Click the “+” (Add Block) button where you want the new button to appear.

  6. Search for “Button” and select the “Button” or “Buttons” block.

  7. Set Button Text

  8. Click inside the button that appears and type the desired text, such as “Buy Now,” “Learn More,” or “Contact Us.”

  9. Enter a Link

  10. In the block toolbar or in the settings sidebar, look for the link (chain) icon.
  11. Click it and paste or type the URL where you want users to go.

  12. Press Enter to save.

  13. Customize the Button Appearance

  14. Use the block sidebar to adjust style, color, border radius, alignment, and more.
  15. Pick a color scheme that matches your branding for a cohesive look.

  16. Preview and update as needed.

  17. Save or Publish

  18. Once satisfied, hit “Update” or “Publish” to save your changes.

Benefits of the Gutenberg Button Block:

  • No coding required—very beginner-friendly.
  • Offers basic styling: color, size, corner radius, and font options.
  • Can be added anywhere in your content.
  • Can create groups of buttons side by side for more complex layouts.

Method 2: Add Advanced Buttons with WordPress Plugins

If you want more control, special styles, or additional features (like icon buttons or animation), a plugin is the answer. There are several popular plugins designed just for buttons.

Top Feature-Rich Button Plugins

  • MaxButtons: Lets you create eye-catching CSS3 buttons with countless style options.
  • Ultimate Blocks: Adds advanced, customizable button blocks and other useful Gutenberg blocks.
  • WPForms: Ideal for creating buttons specifically for form submissions or calls to action.

How to Add Buttons Using a Plugin

  1. Install and Activate the Plugin
  2. In your dashboard, go to “Plugins” → “Add New.”
  3. Search for the plugin by name (e.g., MaxButtons, Ultimate Blocks).

  4. Click “Install” and then “Activate.”

  5. Create or Insert a Button

  6. With MaxButtons, create a button in the plugin interface. Customize text, link, icon, color, size, and style.
  7. After creating, copy the shortcode provided.

  8. Paste the shortcode directly into any post, page, or widget area, and the button will appear.

  9. With Ultimate Blocks or Similar Block Plugins

  10. Add a “Styled Button” or “Button” block from the new plugin blocks available in the block editor.
  11. Set the text, link, and style as prompted.

Advantages of Using Plugins

  • Unlock advanced customization: gradients, hover effects, icons, spacing.
  • Can create reusable buttons for multiple pages.
  • Some plugins support tracking, analytics, or integration with other tools.
  • Ideal for those who want their buttons to stand out or perform special actions.

Method 3: Add a Button Manually with HTML (Advanced Users)

If you’re comfortable with some basic HTML, you can type or paste custom button code directly into a “Custom HTML” block or the code editor.

Sample Button HTML

Click Here

You can add CSS classes to further style your button in your theme’s customizer or CSS files.

Pros and Cons

  • Pro: Full creative control.
  • Con: More complex; changes require some coding knowledge.

How to Customize Your Button’s Look and Feel

Customizing your button helps it match your site’s branding and stand out. Most methods allow you to adjust:

  • Color: Choose background and text colors. Use brand colors for consistency.
  • Size & Shape: Set button size and control corner roundness for a modern look.
  • Text: Keep it action-oriented (“Get Started,” “Download Free Guide”).
  • Icons: Some tools let you add small icons for extra visibility.
  • Hover Effects: Make the button change color or grow slightly when hovered over.
  • Alignment: Position buttons left, right, center, or full-width.

Tip: Always preview your button on both desktop and mobile devices to ensure it looks great everywhere.

Best Practices for Effective WordPress Buttons

To ensure your buttons are both beautiful and functional, keep these tips in mind:

  • Make It Obvious: Use bold colors and clear contrast so buttons stand out.
  • Be Action-Oriented: Button text should tell users what to do (“Sign Up,” “Shop Now”).
  • Don’t Overdo It: Too many buttons can confuse visitors. Highlight the most important action.
  • Maintain Consistency: Use similar styles across your site.
  • Check for Accessibility: Use readable text, high-contrast colors, and make sure buttons are large enough to tap on mobile.
  • Test Regularly: Click through every button to confirm links work and actions complete as expected.

Common Challenges & How to Solve Them

Even with user-friendly tools, you might face a few hiccups. Here’s how to tackle common issues:

  • Button Not Showing: Make sure you’re using compatible blocks or plugins with your current theme and WordPress version.
  • Unstyled or Ugly Button: Double-check theme settings or plugin options. Conflicting CSS may cause problems—try changing styles or resetting to defaults.
  • Buttons Stack Weirdly on Mobile: Use the preview tool to check mobile views. Adjust alignment or use a plugin for responsive styles.
  • Plugin Conflict: Deactivate other plugins one by one to spot the culprit, then seek alternatives if a plugin is incompatible.
  • Slow Loading: Fancy button plugins with lots of effects can slow things down. Opt for lightweight options or only use effects you truly need.

Cost Tips: Adding Buttons Is Usually Free!

  • Gutenberg Button Block: Built into WordPress, no extra cost.
  • Free Plugins: Many button plugins have a robust free version.
  • Premium Plugins: Some advanced styling, analytics, or design features may require an upgrade, but for most users, free plugins will suffice.
  • No Hidden Fees: Adding standard buttons won’t add to your hosting or shipping costs.

Button Placement Ideas

Here are strategic spots where buttons can have the biggest impact:

  • Homepage hero section: Direct users to shop, register, or see your services quickly.
  • Landing pages: For campaign offers, use bold, contrasting buttons to encourage conversions.
  • Blog posts: Add “Read More” or “Download Resource” buttons throughout your content.
  • Navigation menus: Use call-to-action buttons like “Book a Demo” for easy access in main menus.
  • Sidebars and widgets: Ideal for newsletter sign-up or featured offers.

Always keep the visitor’s journey in mind, making it easy for them to take action at the right moment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do I add a button to WordPress without any plugin?
You can use the built-in Button block in the WordPress block (Gutenberg) editor. Just add a Button block where you want the button, edit the text, set the link, and customize the design—all directly in the editor, without any extra plugin.

2. Can I create a button that opens in a new tab?
Yes! When you add a link to your button (using the block toolbar or sidebar settings), you’ll see an option to “Open in new tab” or “Open in new window.” Enable this for external links so visitors don’t leave your site completely.

3. Why doesn’t my button look right on mobile?
Some themes or plugins may not style buttons for mobile perfectly. Check your site on a mobile device using the preview tool. Adjust alignment, reduce button size, or switch to a plugin that offers responsive settings to improve mobile appearance.

4. How do I change the color or style of my button?
With the Button block, use the right-hand sidebar in the editor to change colors, border radius, font, and more. For advanced style, install a button plugin that provides additional customization options like gradients, shadows, and animations.

5. Are there any extra costs for adding buttons to WordPress?
No—adding basic buttons is completely free. Plugins with advanced features may offer premium versions, but the default editor and many free plugins cover most needs. You won’t face additional hosting or shipping costs by adding buttons.

In Summary

Buttons are essential tools for guiding visitors and increasing actions on your WordPress site. Whether you use the built-in Button block, a user-friendly plugin, or a custom HTML solution, adding and customizing buttons is straightforward and powerful. Focus on clarity, action-driven text, and smart placement to make the most of every button.

Experiment with styles, keep your site’s look consistent, and always test your buttons before publishing. With these tips, you’re well on your way to creating a more interactive, effective, and visually appealing WordPress website!

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