How to Add WordPress Button Shortcode? (3 Ways)

Tired of the mundane look of your WordPress website? Want to add a touch of personality and interactivity to your content? The answer lies in WordPress button shortcodes.

Button shortcodes are powerful tools that allow you to create visually appealing and functional buttons with ease. By understanding their potential, you can elevate your website’s design and user experience.

Through this blog, I’ll explain the different ways WordPress experts create and add buttons on the website. That is, with and without plugins and shortcodes. Let’s begin with the shortcode method.

How to Add a WordPress Button with Shortcode?

A shortcode is a simple code snippet that you can use to embed complex elements within your WordPress content. For a button, you’ll typically use a shortcode generated manually or provided by a plugin or theme. First off, we’ll take a look at the manual method.

Step 1: Log in to your WordPress admin panel.

Step 2: Go to Appearance > Theme File Editor or access your theme files directly via FTP client or using cPanel.

Remember, if you’re editing a theme directly, use a child theme to avoid losing changes during updates.

Step 3: Open the functions.php file (or create a custom plugin for better long-term maintainability).

Step 4: Add the following code snippet to define the button shortcode:

// Function to create a button shortcode

function custom_button_shortcode($atts) {
    // Define default attributes
    $atts = shortcode_atts(
        array(
            'url'   => '#',               // Default URL
            'text'  => 'Click Me',        // Default button text
            'class' => 'custom-button',   // Default CSS class
        ),
        $atts,
        'button'
    );

    // Return the HTML for the button

    return '<a href="' . esc_url($atts['url']) . '" class="' . esc_attr($atts['class']) . '">' . esc_html($atts['text']) . '</a>';
}

// Register the shortcode

add_shortcode('button', 'custom_button_shortcode');

Step 5: To style the button, go to Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS.

.custom-button {
    display: inline-block;
    padding: 10px 20px;
    background-color: #0073aa;
    color: #fff;
    text-decoration: none;
    border-radius: 5px;
    font-size: 16px;
}

.custom-button:hover {
    background-color: #005177;
}

Step 6: Go to any page or post where you want the button to appear.

Step 7: Use the shortcode in the desired block:

[button url="https://example.com" text="Learn More" class="my-custom-class"]

Replace the following attributes:

• Replace url with the desired link.
• Replace text with the button text.
• Replace class with any additional CSS classes for styling.

Step 8: Preview the page or post where you added the shortcode. Verify the button appears correctly and works as expected.

Step 9: Save the file.

But what if you don’t have the necessary technical know-how? What if you want to go about an easier approach? Well, you have plugins.

How to Add WordPress Button Shortcode With a Plugin?

WordPress plugins help add a variety of features and functionalities, including a button. To that end, one of the best plugins available is WP Shortcodes Plugin.

It helps you create a shortcode for your button specifications, after which you can add it to the page or post or even a widget on the website. Here’s how you go about it.

Step 1: Log into the WordPress dashboard and install the plugin WP Shortcodes. After the plugin is installed and activated, there will be a shortcode button at the top of the editor, near the Bold, Italics, etc.

Step 2: Then, open the page or post you want to add the button shortcode to.

Step 3: Click the block where you want to add the button and click the shortcode button.

That will open a window where you can choose from a variety of shortcodes for different features and functionalities.

Step 4: Select the “Button” shortcode and configure it according to your requirements.

You will be asked to configure settings like button name, URL, background color, font, button width and height, text color, hover color, and more.

You can preview how the button will look and change the settings accordingly.

Step 5: Save and publish and see the results.

That creates a button on your page or post. But the manual, coding-based method is still more customizable.

How to Add a Button in WordPress Directly?

WordPress now offers a dedicated block for “Button”, so you can add it more easily to your website. Here’s how you navigate this process.

Step 1: Create or edit a page or post.

Step 2: Click the “+” button to add a new block.

Step 3: Search for and select “Button” in the block inserter.

Step 4: Customize the button with the following key details:

• Text: Type the desired text for your button.
• Link: Click the Link button and enter the URL you want the button to link to.
• Style: Use the block toolbar to customize the button’s appearance:
  • Color: Choose a color for the button and its text.
  • Size: Select a size for the button.
  • Style: Apply different styles like outlined, rounded, or square.

Step 5: Save the changes and preview how the button looks.

Step 6: Once you’re satisfied with the button, publish your post or page.

If you want help with more customized buttons and other functionalities, consult with our professional WordPress development company.

Tip for Adding Buttons in WordPress

You can create buttons easily through any of the methods shown above. But to ensure it looks and feels good, there are a few tips to follow.

• Clear and Concise Text: Use clear and concise text that accurately reflects the button’s purpose.
• Strong Call to Action: Encourage clicks with strong action-oriented verbs like “Buy Now,” “Learn More,” or “Sign Up.”
• Visually Appealing Design: Use a visually appealing design that stands out from the surrounding content. Consider using contrasting colors, bold fonts, and appropriate sizing.
• Consistent Branding: Ensure your buttons align with your website’s overall branding and style guide.
• Customize Button Styles: Experiment with different colors, fonts, and sizes to create unique button styles.
• Test on Different Devices: Ensure your buttons look and function correctly on various devices and screen sizes.

Try to create buttons that not only look great but also drive user engagement and conversions.

FAQs on WordPress Button Shortcode

Let’s Summarize

WordPress button shortcodes provide a powerful and flexible way to enhance your website’s user experience. You can use a plugin like WP Shortcodes or add the shortcode directly. But the easiest way to go about it is through a Button block.

Remember to prioritize user experience by choosing clear and concise button text, using visually appealing designs, and ensuring accessibility. Additionally, test your buttons thoroughly to ensure they work correctly across different devices and browsers.

If you need help with basic or advanced functionalities on your website, hire our WordPress professionals today!