There are various types of buttons, each serving a unique purpose depending on your needs, from Social Sharing and Form Submission to Read More and Product Discovery buttons. Social Sharing buttons make it easy for visitors to share your content, while Product Discovery buttons provide detailed information about your offerings. Among these, download buttons are an excellent way to make your content easily accessible. WordPress site owners also use them to boost conversion rates. The challenge, however, is that WordPress doesn’t have a built-in feature for creating buttons.
This post will guide you through two different methods for adding a download button to your pages and posts, whether it’s for a PDF, video, or audio file. But before we dive into the details, let’s explore the benefits of using download buttons in WordPress to understand why they are a valuable addition to your content.
Why You Should Add a Download Button to Your WordPress Site
Download buttons add immense value to your WordPress site by enhancing both user experience and engagement. Serving as a key call to action, they not only improve content accessibility but also significantly boost conversion rates.
- Increase Conversion Rates: One of the greatest advantages of adding download buttons is their ability to pique user curiosity. Instead of immediately pushing users toward a purchase, you can offer them free downloadable content like guides, eBooks, or tutorials. This allows potential customers to engage with your content at no cost, building trust and increasing the likelihood that they will make a purchase later on. It’s an excellent way to nurture leads and convert curious visitors into loyal customers.
- Improve Content Flow: Similar to how images break up blocks of text, download buttons also help organize and enhance the readability of your content. Rather than overwhelming users with large chunks of information, download buttons allow them to interact with the content in a new way, keeping their attention focused. By incorporating these buttons into your posts or pages, you create a more user-friendly experience while simultaneously directing their attention to key interactions, like downloading a resource or completing an action.
Guidelines for Designing Download Buttons
Buttons are common elements, and you likely have an idea of how they look. However, designing an eye-catching button that grabs visitors’ attention can be challenging. Here are a few tips to consider when designing your download button:
- Keep the design consistent: Ensure the button’s design aligns with your website and branding, including colours, sizes, and styles. Don’t overlook the importance of button size and spacing, especially for mobile layouts, as these factors impact usability.
- Use a clear label: The label on your button plays a key role in whether users click it or not. This label can be text, an icon, or a combination of both. Make sure it communicates the action clearly.
- Place it in a visible spot: Position your download buttons in places where they stand out. Contrast is crucial—if the button blends in too much, it may go unnoticed. A button in a prominent location with a contrasting colour is more likely to draw attention.
How to Add a Download Button Using the Built-in WordPress Editor
WordPress provides a straightforward way to add buttons using its built-in ‘Button’ block. The following guide will walk you through the steps to create a download button quickly and easily.
Step 1: Upload the File and Obtain the URL
If the file you need isn’t already in your Media Library, you’ll need to upload it. To do this, you can:
1. Go to Media → Add New in your WordPress dashboard
2. Click “Select Files” to choose the files you wish to upload.
3. Click the “Edit” link on the right side of the screen and copy the file URL.
Also Read: 20+ Best WordPress Block Themes For Full Site Editing
Step 2: Insert the File Link into Your Page or Post Content
After you have the file URL, it’s time to incorporate it into your pages or posts. Navigate to the Backend Editor and select the Button block from the Add Element menu.
Edit the button by pasting the file URL and entering the text you want to appear on the button. Don’t forget to publish or update your post, and then preview it in a new browser to see how the download button will look for users.
Also Read: How to Add Call to Action Buttons in WordPress without Shortcodes
How to Create a Download Button with the Classic Editor
If you’re working with the Classic Editor, creating a download button requires a bit more effort, involving HTML/CSS code which may be tricky for beginners. Follow these four easy steps to add a download link to your WordPress site using the Classic Editor:
First, insert a link into your content by selecting the text you want to turn into a link, clicking the Insert/edit link icon in the toolbar, and pasting the URL.
Navigate to the Text tab at the top of the editing screen. Add a CSS class to the download link to style it as a button. Name the class “downloadbutton” to customize the link’s appearance and make it look like a real button.
Navigate to the preview page and select the Customize option to start styling your link.
You can select the Additional CSS option from the left-hand navigation menu. Once there, simply paste the CSS code.
Feel free to customize the background colour, border style, and font size to match your preferences. You can also adjust the padding to fine-tune the appearance and feel of your download button. And that’s all there is to it!
Also Read: Gutenberg or the Classic Editor: Which is Better and Can You Keep the Old Editor?
Are you ready to add a download button to your WordPress page?
File download buttons are a great way to grab visitors’ attention, boosting conversions and improving content readability. When designing your button, it’s important to focus on elements like style, placement, and text.
You can create a download button in WordPress in two ways: using the default editor or the classic editor. The default editor offers a simple way to add and customize a button block, while the classic editor requires some CSS knowledge.
If you have any questions or need help creating a download button in WordPress, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!
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