Conversion Tip: Graphical Buttons Can Cause a Huge Decrease in Sales
January 27th, 2008 by Vishen Read more about ArticlesI was just listening to a podcast my Armand Morin and here’s something I found fascinating.
He mentions a test he did on his site ECoverGenerator.com that caused a 42% drop in signups.
Take a look at his signup box below:

Armand uses a grey button with black text on this form.
But it wasn’t always this case. He once tried a colorful graphical button. Something like the kind you’d see in the image below:
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A 42% DROP in conversions
Over the course of a 10 day test he saw his signups drop 42%. That’s huge!
Armand’s theory is that Internet users have been used to those typical black test on grey buttons since the dawn of the Net. Adding colorful graphical buttons just takes away from a simple user experience. Aesthetics do not necessarily mean clicks.
Have you tested this on your site? If so, be sure to share the results with us.
The Armand Morin podcast I learned this from is available here.
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About the Author
Vishen is a co-founder of MindValley.
Before MindValley, he was an exec in Silicon Valley and New York for several internet and technology firms. He turned bedroom entrepreneur at 27 and by the time he was 31 had founded 6 web businesses and never had to work a conventional job again.
Check out other posts by Vishen
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Mike Reining
Vishen Lakhiani
I heard Armand talk about this at a seminar a few months ago and I made my change at that time.
It has increased conversion!
Ryan
Yet I note your sites are still on the graphical buttons. I guess your tests haven’t been conclusive yet?
Hey Vishen,
Thank you for a great blog. Lot’s of interesting stuff here.
I haven’t heard this from Armand, but I assume you are using the two buttons from his test in the post. Then Mr. Morin’s conclusion seems a bit quick. He is assuming it is because of how the button looks, but yet the text (copy) on the button is completely different and give completely different messages…