Copywriting Question

[owillis]

Could anyone give me a hint as to which of the following wordings is the best phrased call to action?

* Click [link]here[link] for Widget on DVD
* Get [link]Widget[link] on DVD
* [link]Widget[link] on DVD

[Brian]

Well, if I understand your use of [link], the first is hopeless because you're anchoring "here".

[stapel]

People know what links are now. I think usually the sparest and simplest expression is the best, so I would pick the third option.

Eliz.

[deejay]

hmm.. I think we're talking at cross purposes about calls to action and link text here.

* Click here for Widget on DVD
* Get Widget on DVD
* Widget on DVD

For a call to action: the third one is useless - there is no action mentioned or called for. Either the first or second then. Some would say the first because it is explicit - telling the user to click. Personally I prefer the second - "GET" is a strong word (just short of the magic "BUY" that will help weed out the tire kickers.

In terms of the link text:

* Click [link]here[link] for Widget on DVD
* Get [link]Widget[link] on DVD
* [link]Widget[link] on DVD

The first is useless - as someone else mentioned, you are hitting the word "HERE" - you want your website to be known for "widgets, not the word "here".

So the simple answer is that, whichever call to action phrase you choose, make sure you hit (link) the important words - in your case widget. Although I personally would actually go a step further and link "widget on DVD".

[rogerd]

I agree that "Click Here" is getting a bit dated. Of course, be sure that your links are easily identified as such. I've seen plenty of sites that are appealing from a graphic design standpoint but where the links are quite hard to spot because the underline has been removed and the color changed to blend in with the text.

I'm a fan of "Buy" in calls to action, though "Get" isn't bad. Including "now" in the phrase implies immediacy, too, e.g., "Buy the Widget DVD now!"

[monkeythumpa]

I have data that shows that people like to read and then click on a link, so having the link as close to the end is best, or just link the whole phrase if it is short enough. It is not a big difference but there is one.