Your blog is getting SEO traffic, but are those visitors actually taking action? These 5 types of blog CTAs will help turn them into leads and clients.
If SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the friend who gets you invited to the party, CTAs (Calls-to-Action) are the friend who makes sure you don’t just stand awkwardly by the snack table all night.
CTAs aren’t just a nice touch.
The right one can be the difference between a one-time visitor and a long-term subscriber or client.
They’re literally how you turn blog readers into leads.
They make you money.
So don’t let them be an afterthought.
Let’s break down five types of CTAs that actually work, how to make them impossible to ignore, and what to do to maximize your new leads.
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Types of Calls to Action & How to Implement Them
Before you write a blog post, ask yourself:
- What do I want my reader to do after they finish this?
- What action am I guiding them toward?
You’re not writing just for the sake of it. Your content has a purpose, and your CTA should make that next step crystal clear.
Here are five types of CTAs I use in my own content (and why they work):
1) Read The Next Article
This is the “if you liked this, you’ll love this next piece” approach.
By pointing readers to another article, you’re keeping them in your content loop and sharing additional value.
Maybe they won’t become a client today, but the more of your content they consume, the more likely they are to remember you the next time they’re searching for a solution.
Pro tip: Link related articles to keep the reader in your content loop. This not only benefits the reader but internal links also benefit your website’s SEO.
2) Leave a Comment
Being found online matters, but so does connection.
Encouraging engagement on your blog isn’t just good for SEO (and it is!); it strengthens relationships with your audience.
When readers share their thoughts, ask questions, or contribute their own experiences, your content becomes a conversation.
By making space for interaction, you’re doing more than simply improving your website’s SEO.
You’re creating a place where your audience feels heard.
Two wins in one!
3) Share the Article
If someone has found value in what you’ve written, why not encourage them to share it?
Include easy-to-spot share buttons (like the pink ones to the left!!) to make the process as frictionless as possible.
Pro tip: On my Elementor WordPress website (this one! ), I use the native “Share Buttons” widget for my social share buttons.
On my Divi website, I use the WordPress Plugin, Novashare, to embed social share buttons.
4) Download a Relevant Lead Magnet
This is how you use your website to grow your email list. Your readers give you their email address, and in return, you gift them valuable, free content.
Not sure what I’m talking about? I’ll take this not-so-subtle opportunity to plug my own lead magnet:
SUBSCRIBE TO GET YOUR FREE COPY OF THE SEO SIMPLIFIED GUIDE
You enter your email address, in return, you get a really great guide to SEO Simplified, a keyword research workbook that will help you discover the words that will attract right-fit clients to your website.
You also get my emails (which I think are actually the greater value😉).
The key here is to make it something valuable enough to warrant and invitation into someone’s inbox.
5) Book a Call
When someone’s already interested, make the next step easy.
Since Google is sending problem-aware and solution-aware searchers to your site, some of them will be ready to take action.
A clear “Book a Call” button makes it simple for them to reach out when they’re interested. No extra convincing required.
Making Your CTAs Stand Out
A weak CTA is like whispering in a crowded room: no one notices. If your CTAs blend into the background of your website, they’re useless.
Here’s how to make sure they actually get clicked.
1) Relevance & Positioning
CTAs can be integrated naturally into the concluding text of your blog OR they can appear as buttons or embedded opt-in forms.
Whatever you choose, make sure it’s easily noticeable and make it contextually relevent. For example, if your article’s about post-workout stretches, offer a downloadable stretching guide, not a nutrition guide.
2) Color Contrast
Ever noticed how the “Buy Now” button on Amazon is bright yellow? That’s not an accident.
Your CTA should stand out visually. A high-contrast button (one that isn’t the same color as your background) makes it obvious where to click.
3) Bold and Brief
Your CTA text should be clear, concise, and compelling.
“Access Your Free XYZ Guide Here!” or “Subscribe for access to expert tips curated especially for [your niche]!” beats “Click Here” or “Subscribe Now” any day.
And keep in mind, in this post we’re specifically talking about blog posts, not sales pages.
While your CTAs need to stand out, it’s equally important they they come off as a natural next step, not a hard sell.
The Great Debate: Pop-ups vs. Embedded Opt-in Forms
Ah, the classic question: should you use pop-ups or embedded opt-in forms to collect emails?
Short answer? Both can work, but it depends on your audience and how you use them.
Pop-ups: The Party Crashers
Pop-ups demand attention. The second they appear, people either sign up or try to close them as fast as humanly possible.
Pros:
- Hard to ignore (which may mean higher conversion rates)
- Can be triggered at the right time (exit-intent, scroll depth, etc.)
- Works well for lead magnets and newsletter sign-ups
Cons:
- Can annoy visitors if they show up too soon or too often
- Google has cracked down on aggressive pop-ups (especially on mobile)
- If they’re hard to close, people might just leave your site altogether
Embedded Opt-in Forms: The Wallflowers
Unlike pop-ups, embedded forms are always there, waiting patiently in your blog post, sidebar, or footer.
Pros:
- Less disruptive (readers can opt-in at their own pace)
- Blends naturally into your content
- No risk of annoying Google
Cons:
- Easier to ignore
- Since they don’t grab attention as aggressively as pop-ups, they might result in fewer sign-ups.
So, Which One Should You Use?
It’s not either-or, it’s how you use them.
Best practice? Use an embedded opt-in form in your blog post and perhaps consider a pop-up that triggers at the right time (like when someone scrolls 50% of the page or tries to exit).
That way, you’re not overwhelming folks, but you’re still maximizing conversions.
And test! Try different strategies and see what’s most effective on your website with your audience.
They Took Action. What's next?
So, someone clicked your CTA.
They downloaded your guide, joined your email list, or booked a call. Now what?
This is where a lot of businesses drop the ball.
Your CTA might have gotten them in the door, but what happens next determines whether they stick around.
Not every CTA leads to an email signup, some encourage comments, shares, or clicks to another post.
Each type of CTA plays a role in keeping your audience engaged, but email marketing is where you have the biggest opportunity to nurture a long-term relationship and sell your services.
So, let’s take a sec and talk about what should happen after someone hands over their email.
Your Email List Is Only As Valuable As The Relationships You Build
When someone hands over their email, they’re not just giving you data.
They’re giving you permission to show up in their inbox.
Take advantage!
Think of your emails as a regular coffee chat with your audience, where you:
- Deliver solutions
- Spark conversation (ask questions, invite replies)
- Educate them about your offers
- Make sure they don’t forget who you are (because inboxes get crowded fast!)
If someone downloads your lead magnet and never hears from you again, they’re going to forget you exist.
And when they finally need what you offer?
They’ll hire someone they do remember.
Stay Consistent So You Stay Top Of Mind
You don’t have to email every day (please don’t), but showing up regularly really does matter.
Whether it’s weekly, biweekly, or monthly, find a rhythm that works for you and stick to it.
Because when your subscribers are finally ready to take action, whether that’s booking a call, buying a service, or hiring you, you want your name to be the first one that comes to mind.
Before you go
SEO gets people to your blog.
A strong CTA keeps them interested and steers them toward working with you.
But getting the click isn’t the finish line.
Whether they join your email list, download a freebie, or book a call, what happens next determines whether they stick around in your ecosystem.
Here’s what I really want you to remember:
The goal of SEO isn’t just to get people in the door. It’s to give them a reason to stay.
If you read this far but you’re thinking, “Wow, this is all overwhelming!”, I’ve got you covered.
SEO is my jam, and I’m here to help simplify things.
Let’s talk about where YOU should start and how I can lighten your load. Book a free call, and let’s get your SEO on the right track together.
