text call out webpages

3 min read 24-01-2025

Meta Description: Learn how to use text call outs to dramatically improve your webpage's design and user experience. This guide covers different types of call outs, best practices, and examples to help you boost engagement and conversions. Discover how strategically placed text call outs can highlight key information, improve readability, and guide users towards desired actions.

What are Text Call Outs?

Text call outs are visually distinct blocks of text designed to grab a reader's attention. They highlight important information, key takeaways, or calls to action within a larger body of text. Think of them as visual signposts guiding the reader through your content. They're essential for improving readability and user experience on any webpage. Using text call outs effectively is crucial for boosting engagement.

Types of Text Call Outs

Several types of text call outs exist, each serving a specific purpose. Choosing the right one depends on your content and design goals.

1. Pull Quotes

Pull quotes are short, impactful sentences or phrases extracted from the main text. They're usually displayed in a larger font size and visually separated from the surrounding text, often with a different color or background. These are great for emphasizing key points and breaking up large blocks of text.

Example: A pull quote could highlight a compelling statistic or a powerful statement from your content.

2. Sidebars

Sidebars are vertical or horizontal boxes placed alongside the main text. They often contain supplementary information, related links, or calls to action. Sidebars provide additional context or offer users alternative pathways through your content.

Example: A sidebar on a blog post could link to related articles or offer a signup form for your newsletter.

3. Boxes & Banners

Boxes and banners are rectangular blocks of text, usually with a distinct background color and border. They can highlight important announcements, promotions, or calls to action. These are highly effective for drawing attention to specific information.

Example: Announce a limited-time sale or highlight a new product launch using a visually appealing box or banner.

4. Highlight Boxes

These boxes use color, borders, or other visual cues to highlight key pieces of information. They can improve scannability and make important details easily noticeable.

Example: Highlight key features of a product or service within a product description.

5. Text Highlighting (Bolding, Italics, Underlining)

Simple but effective, highlighting key words or phrases with bolding, italics, or underlining can improve readability and draw attention to essential information. Use sparingly to avoid overwhelming the reader.

Example: Emphasize a specific benefit or feature within a product description.

Best Practices for Using Text Call Outs

Effective use of text call outs requires careful planning and execution. Follow these best practices for optimal results:

Use them sparingly: Too many call outs can overwhelm the reader and detract from your message. Focus on highlighting only the most important information.
Maintain consistency: Use a consistent design style for your call outs throughout your website for a cohesive and professional look. Use the same fonts, colors, and styles across all call outs.
Ensure readability: Choose font sizes and colors that provide excellent contrast against the background. Avoid using overly complex or difficult-to-read fonts.
Use clear and concise language: Call outs should be short, sweet, and to the point. Get straight to the key message.
Strategic placement: Position call outs strategically to guide the user's eye and improve the flow of your content. Don't just randomly place them.
A/B test: Experiment with different types and placements of call outs to see what works best for your audience. Track your results to see what's most effective.

Examples of Effective Text Call Outs

To illustrate, here are a few examples of different types of text call outs and how they're used effectively:

Example 1 (Pull Quote): "[Quote about the benefits of the product] – Jane Doe, Satisfied Customer."
Example 2 (Sidebar): A sidebar on a blog post could contain links to related articles, a signup form for a newsletter, or a short biography of the author.
Example 3 (Highlight Box): A yellow highlight box could emphasize the key features of a product: "Free Shipping! 30-Day Return Policy! Lifetime Warranty!"
Example 4 (Banner): A banner at the top of the page could announce a limited-time sale: "20% Off Your Next Order! Use code SUMMER20."

Conclusion

Text call outs are powerful tools for improving webpage design and user engagement. By strategically using various types of call outs and following best practices, you can enhance readability, highlight crucial information, and guide users toward your desired outcomes. Remember to prioritize user experience, maintain consistency, and A/B test your approach to optimize your results. Effective use of text call outs is an investment in a better user experience and improved conversions on your webpage.