Using ghost buttons in UX design for effective CTAs

Ghost buttons are subtle user interface elements designed to create a visual hierarchy by demoting less important actions while allowing primary buttons to stand out and guide users effectively. Unlike standard buttons, ghost buttons have no outline or fill at rest and reveal their boundaries only when hovered over, helping to maintain a clean and balanced aesthetic without compromising functionality. By using ghost buttons strategically, designers can highlight essential actions such as purchases or subscriptions, while secondary and tertiary actions are gently suggested, thereby reducing visual noise and enhancing user focus. A well-structured button system typically includes primary, secondary, and ghost buttons, each with distinct interaction states to ensure users can easily navigate and understand the available options. This approach not only improves the usability of digital interfaces but also helps in aligning user interactions with the intended goals of a webpage or application.