One of the most popular posts on this blog is How to Make a Blog Button. I'm always thrilled when someone leaves a comment like this one from Amy:
Woo hoo! Got it working!!! Thank you sooooooooo much!!!!!
You have no idea how satisfying it is for me to be able to help. I love it.
And I know I'm a hypocrite and have not had a blog button of my own. But guess what? I finally made one. Actually I made three. And now I can actually speak from experience (ahem) when I tell you my tips…
My 2 Best Blog Button Tips
- Make it interesting.
- Include a very clear call to action.
Instead of including just your logo or blog name, make your blog button something someone will want to click. Make it mean something. Be creative. Intrigue them.
Blog buttons and similar-sized ads are a dime a dozen these days. People like images, but they like images that speak to them and don't just advertise someone else's something. Know what I mean?
Make someone curious and wonder what's behind that button of yours. And make it super clear exactly what they should do next (like "Click Here").
In short, make your blog button more than just, "Here's the name of my site. The end."
Let me show you what I mean…
I made the following three buttons with not only a potential clicker in mind, but I also tried to make them interesting enough so that someone would want to put one of my blog buttons on their blog in the first place. 
My first button is for the blogger who gets a lot of emails from readers saying, "Hi! I love your blog and want to start my own. How do I do that?" Well, now you don't have to (a) ignore those emails and feel guilty or (b) spend too much time responding and feel frustrated. Now you can just stick this puppy in your sidebar (and reduce your email at the same time)! As for a potential clicker, the question draws them in.
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<a href="http://bloggingwithamy.com/how-to-start-website-blog/" target="_blank"><img src="http://bloggingwithamy.com/start-a-blog.jpg" alt="BloggingWithAmy.com" width="125" height="125" /></a>
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The second button is much like the first. This is for the blogger who gets emails and comments from readers that say, "Hi! I'm a blogger too and I noticed you __________ on your blog. How did you do that?" Put this in your sidebar and eliminate the need to field the "how to" questions. Again, reduce emails! And again, for a potential clicker, the question draws them in.
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<a href="http://bloggingwithamy.com/how-to-start-website-blog/" target="_blank"><img src="http://bloggingwithamy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/bloggingtips.jpg" alt="BloggingWithAmy.com" width="125" height="125" /></a>
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Now, when I created this third one, I had many of you in mind. This is for the blogger who just started their own blog and feels mighty proud of that fact. And you should. Because starting a blog is a big deal. I completely relate to the excitement of having zero technical know-how and then suddenly, after a few tutorials, I HAVE MY OWN BLOG. WOOHOO!!! It's an exciting moment to be sure. You should celebrate it.
As for a potential clicker, it's like a personal message from the blog owner to the reader. Again, with the intention of drawing them in, and offering hope and encouragement at the same time.
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<a href="http://bloggingwithamy.com/how-to-start-website-blog/" target="_blank"><img src="http://bloggingwithamy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/howtoblog.jpg" alt="BloggingWithAmy.com" width="125" height="125" /></a>
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What do you think? Any more tips to add?
Those are excellent ideas and advice Amy!! I am going to revamp my buttons as a result. Thanks so much!
I hadn't thought about creating a blog button w/ a call to action – I usually just think of affiliate buttons w/ such. I like that idea, though… thanks!
love the concept of call to change in my button! much better than just trying to advertise my blog…at least it is much better for me.
I made my first blog button thanks to your earlier tutorial; and now, I will take it up a notch with these new tips, thanks!
I've been meaning to mention your "click here" call to action on your Tell Your Time button and keep forgetting to.
When I was new to reading blogs, I didn't really "get" buttons. I didn't realize that you could click on them and have something happen….so I love love love the click here! In fact I was hoping it was okay if I use it for my ebook button.
Thanks again for another great tip!
Absolutely!
Very good ideas….Mine seems so boring now! ha ha….I will revamp for sure!
Hmmm… now I need to add "redesign blog button" to my list! Thanks for the tips
Making a blog button is next on my list! I absolutely love your site! I wouldn't have been able to set up my blog without it!
1. It's about time!
2. They are gorgeous!
3. Great tips for something I would have never thought of at ALL. Hmmm… now I need to email my graphics girls.
LOL, I know, right? I'm so late to the game. You would not believe how long my to-do list is…with stuff that I wrote about long ago but never implemented myself.
This is very timely as I was just frowning up at my buttons. Love the idea of a call to action. I want to make some still and some animated ones and thanks to your advice, they will all have a call to action.
I need a picture/icon to make a button
Did you see my How To Make a Blog Button post? I describe an easy way to make a basic one in that video.
Am I crazy or are there not any pictures of the buttons? I see the box with code in them, but no buttons. Buttons are one of the things I am having the most trouble with. I can't seem to get it to work. Thank you for all the helpful advice, Amy. I started my blog thanks to you!
Colette, do you mean my buttons aren't showing up (just the grab box) or is it your button that's not showing up? If you're referring to your buttons, make sure you are using the right URL for their location.
Yes, just the grab box is there. But they do work because I put one on my site! I'll keep trying until I get my own to work. I'll let you know when I do!
I went to your site and looked for the grab box but couldn't find it (maybe it's on a different page or site?). It sounds like your grab box code is working fine. My guess is that the image location URL is not correct and therefore not pulling your image and displaying it. So, I'd check the URL (and accompanying code) again.
Thanks for this post! This has now made it to priority status on my "things to do" list! By button needs some pizzazz! check it out sometime…www.effectivecouponing.com
Amy thanks for the info its extremely helpful, but how do you make a button without the box to grab the code??? Just a simple button that takes you to a different website etc?
Same technique but just skip the grab box part. Instead, link the image using this tutorial.
Thanks for the great tips. I'm working on finalizing my buttons today.
I finally got the courage to design my blog and it went live this week. There is so much to learn and it is a bit overwhelming. I loved your tutorial regarding creating a custom badge. I will work on that this week. Thank you for your tutorial and I will continue to look around for more tips you must have on your site. I stumbled here through a Google search for creating a blog badge. Have a great Day!
Congratulations, Michelle! Way to go!
Amy . . . I can make a button, I can even make the grab it text box. But what I can't figure out is how to put the text box on the right side, like you did in examples above. Can you help? Thanks!
Thank you so much! I wanted my own button so bad. Now, I have one thanks to you.
You are the BEST,
Rhonda
Glad it worked for you, Rhonda!
Thank Amy great tips that i will be using to make my won button over the next few days. My blog is just a venting spot for me as I like to type an speak my mind an such an share giveaways or ideas or share other blogs its just my own little creation I literally just started an still working out the bugs before I really start talking like I am now lol. But thank you an I shared it too.
Amy,
I think you may want to put your buttons in your front page sidebar or in your footer. I decided to grab one and put it on my blog cause I want to spend my time blogging and would rather have any questions go to you – you're the blogging expert.
To get to your button I re-looked up the old post to grab them. Just a thought in case you want to make them more accessible. If you want to see what it looks like you can check it out on my blog at HappyAndBlessedHome.com I learned about 80% of that blog set-up from you. Thanks so much!
Monica
HappyAndBlessedHome.com
or on Facebook at Facebook.com/HappyAndBlessedHome
Thank you so much, Monica! I appreciate it.
Hi Amy,
I'm playing around with Blogger before I purchase a blog from wordpress… Question: How do you get the little facebook "like" button/link so that people who read your blog can instantly go like your facebook page? I'm confused! I tried creating a badge, but it isn't the simple facebook "like" button that I was hoping to get. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!
Hi Erica,
I wrote about adding a Facebook Like box in this post. There's a video tutorial as well as an updated bit that links to instructions for Blogger. I hope that helps!
Wow, great advice! Very useful. I pinned this tip on my Pinterest board to share
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Thanks, Kristi.