Ever wanted your website visitors to take action—like signing up, downloading, or contacting you—but aren’t sure how to get their attention? Adding a striking button to your WordPress site can make all the difference, turning casual visitors into engaged users.
Knowing how to insert a button is essential for guiding your audience and improving user experience. In this article, you’ll discover step-by-step instructions, helpful tips, and practical examples to seamlessly add buttons to your WordPress pages.
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How to Insert a Button in WordPress: The Complete Guide
Adding buttons in WordPress is a simple and effective way to grab your audience’s attention and drive them to take action—like making a purchase, signing up for your newsletter, or exploring another page. Whether you’re running a blog, a business site, or an online store, knowing how to create eye-catching buttons can make your website more interactive and visually engaging.
Let’s break down exactly how you can insert buttons in WordPress—step by step—without needing any coding skills!
Why Use Buttons on Your WordPress Site?
Buttons are more than just flashy visuals. They play a vital role in:
- Highlighting calls to action (CTAs)
- Streamlining navigation for your visitors
- Increasing engagement and conversions
- Making your site look modern and user-friendly
With WordPress’s built-in tools and a range of plugins, adding buttons has never been easier.
Adding Buttons in WordPress: Four Easy Methods
1. Using the WordPress Block Editor (Gutenberg)
The Block Editor, available in WordPress 5.0 and above, makes adding buttons incredibly intuitive.
Steps to Add a Button with Gutenberg:
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Open the Page or Post
Navigate to the post or page where you want to add your button. -
Add a New Block
Click the “+” icon to add a new block. Search for “Button” in the block search bar.
-
Insert the Button Block
Click on the Button block to add it to your content area. -
Customize Your Button Text
Type your desired call-to-action, like “Learn More,” “Get Started,” or “Contact Us” directly into the button. -
Set the Button Link
With the button selected, a small toolbar appears. Click the link icon and enter the URL you want your button to point to. You can set it to open in a new tab if needed. -
Style Your Button
Use the options in the right panel to adjust the color, border radius, font, and alignment. Gutenberg offers several preset styles or lets you customize your own. -
Save and Preview
Click “Preview” to see how your button looks, then “Update” or “Publish” to make it live.
Benefits:
- No coding required.
- Real-time preview.
- Easy customization.
Challenges:
- Limited advanced styling options compared to some plugins.
- Might require additional blocks for more complex layouts.
2. Adding Buttons with a Plugin
Want advanced button designs, icons, or animations? WordPress offers many plugins tailored for CTAs and buttons.
Popular Button Plugins:
- Ultimate Blocks: Adds advanced buttons with icons, gradients, and more.
- WPForms: Great for form submission buttons and CTAs.
- MaxButtons: Offers fully customizable buttons with various styles and effects.
How to Add a Button Using a Plugin:
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Install the Plugin
In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New. Search for your chosen button plugin. Click “Install Now,” then “Activate.” -
Create a Button
Access the new plugin interface (often found under a new menu item or block). Set your button’s text, URL, style, and effects. -
Add the Button to Your Page/Post
Most plugins either provide a new block for the Block Editor or a shortcode to paste into your content. -
Customize Further (Optional)
Apply advanced features like hover effects, icons, custom fonts, or responsive sizing.
Benefits:
- Greater flexibility and advanced design options.
- Useful for users who want unique branding or more control.
- Some plugins support analytics to track button clicks.
Challenges:
- Extra plugins can impact site speed—choose reputable ones.
- Too many features can make your editor interface cluttered.
3. Using the Classic Editor
If you’re still using the Classic Editor, you can add buttons, but it requires a slightly different approach. This method is great for those who prefer the old-school editor experience.
Steps to Add a Button in Classic Editor:
-
Use a Plugin or Shortcode
Since the Classic Editor doesn’t have a native button tool, install a plugin like Shortcodes Ultimate or MaxButtons. -
Configure Your Button in the Plugin
Set your button’s text, URL, color, and style within the plugin. -
Insert the Shortcode
Copy the generated shortcode and paste it where you want the button to appear in your post or page.
Benefits:
- Maintains compatibility for sites not yet upgraded to Gutenberg.
- Allows use of plugins with shortcode support.
Challenges:
- Slightly less intuitive than using blocks.
- Customization requires returning to plugin settings.
4. Adding Buttons with Page Builders
If you use a page builder like Elementor, Beaver Builder, or WPBakery, you’ll find custom button widgets or modules built in.
How to Add Buttons Using a Page Builder:
-
Open Your Page/Post in the Page Builder
Launch your preferred page builder interface. -
Drag and Drop the Button Widget
Find the button module/widget and drag it to the desired place on your page. -
Customize the Button
Edit the text, link, color, size, and advanced styles right inside the builder. -
Preview and Publish
Save and preview your design. Adjust as needed, then publish.
Benefits:
- Maximum style control with live previews.
- Easily align buttons alongside other layout elements.
- Integration with other design features like columns, images, and animations.
Challenges:
- Depends on your chosen page builder’s functionality.
- Site performance may be affected by heavy page builders.
Practical Tips for Effective Button Use
Designing a button is one thing—making it work for your users is another! Here are some best practices:
-
Use Clear, Action-Oriented Text:
Keep your button text direct—use verbs like “Get,” “Start,” “Download,” or “Buy.” -
Contrast Your Button Color:
Make sure the button stands out against your background, drawing visitors’ eyes. -
Make Buttons Large Enough:
Ensure buttons are big enough to tap easily, especially on mobile. -
Leave Enough Space:
Avoid clutter. Use padding and spacing to let your button breathe. -
Test Button Placement:
Place buttons where users expect them, such as below sections or next to important content. -
Check Responsiveness:
Preview your buttons on mobile, tablet, and desktop to guarantee readability and clickability.
Addressing Common Challenges
While inserting a button in WordPress is generally straightforward, you might face occasional hiccups:
-
Button Does Not Appear Correctly:
Check for CSS conflicts with your theme or plugins. Sometimes themes override button styling. -
Button Link Doesn’t Work:
Double-check the URL for typos, and ensure you’ve saved your changes. -
Want More Advanced Styles?:
Consider using a plugin or custom CSS for gradients, animations, or icons. -
Multiple Button Alignment:
Use the Button Group option in Gutenberg to align several buttons in a row. -
Button Looks Different Across Pages:
Consistent use of button blocks or the same plugin can help standardize appearance.
Cost Considerations
The good news is you can add basic buttons to your site for free using WordPress’s built-in tools or reputable free plugins. Premium plugins or page builders with advanced features might charge a one-time fee or a yearly subscription. Before purchasing, compare plugin features and check for compatibility with your WordPress version.
If you’re selling or shipping products and want “Buy Now” or “Add to Cart” buttons, many eCommerce plugins (like WooCommerce) provide these as part of their free core versions, though some features may require premium extensions.
Best Practices for Button Creation
To get the most value from your WordPress buttons, consider these expert tips:
-
Stay Consistent:
Use a consistent style for all buttons to reinforce your brand identity. -
Prioritize Accessibility:
Ensure high color contrast, large clickable areas, and readable text for visitors with disabilities. -
Limit the Number of Buttons:
Too many CTAs on a page can confuse users. Guide your visitors toward one main action you want them to take. -
Keep Button Text Short:
Short, descriptive buttons are easier to read and more effective. -
Use Buttons Strategically:
Place buttons near key information or after persuasive copy.
Summary
Inserting a button in WordPress is accessible to everyone—whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned site owner. The Block Editor makes it simple to add and style buttons without code. For advanced customization, plugins and page builders offer endless design possibilities. Focus on clarity, visibility, and action when creating your buttons, use consistent styling, and always preview across devices. With these tips, your buttons will not only look great but also deliver results!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I add a button in WordPress without using any plugins?
Absolutely! The Block Editor (Gutenberg) allows you to add button blocks directly into your posts or pages. You can easily customize the text, color, and link, all without needing a plugin.
2. How do I add multiple buttons side by side in WordPress?
In the Block Editor, you can add a “Buttons” block, which groups several button blocks in a row. Simply click the “+” within this block to add multiple buttons and adjust their alignment as needed.
3. Are buttons automatically mobile-friendly in WordPress?
Most modern themes and the Gutenberg Button block are responsive by default, meaning your buttons will adjust to fit screen sizes. However, it’s smart to preview your pages on different devices to ensure they look and work correctly.
4. What should I do if my button doesn’t match my site’s style?
You can modify the button’s appearance in the Block Editor’s settings, or use custom CSS for finer control. For greater flexibility, consider a plugin that offers additional styling options.
5. Can I track how many people click my buttons?
Yes! Some plugins offer built-in click tracking. Alternatively, you can use Google Analytics with event tracking to monitor button clicks and see how users interact with your CTAs.
With these steps and expert tips, you’re ready to create beautiful, effective buttons that help your WordPress site shine!