The main action on this page is: [ACTION].What the visitor gets: [WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY CLICK].Their likely hesitation: [HESITATION].Write 10 button labels of 2 to 5 words. Make them specific about what happens next, start with a verb, and avoid "Submit", "Click here" and "Learn more". Mark your top 3.
Button and Microcopy Prompts
Prompts for the small words that make a website easy to use: buttons, form labels, error messages and confirmations.
6 promptsCopy and pasteWorks with any AI assistant
About these prompts
Microcopy is the text on buttons, forms, menus and messages. It is easy to ignore and has an outsized effect on whether people complete an action. "Submit" tells a visitor nothing; "Get my free quote" tells them exactly what happens. AI assistants are good at producing many short options quickly, which is exactly what microcopy needs.
Copy any prompt below, or build a custom one with the Prompt Builder. Highlighted [PLACEHOLDERS] are the parts to replace with your own details.
The prompts
Write the text for a [FORM TYPE, e.g. quote request] form on my website.Fields: [LIST FIELDS]For each field give a clear label, optional helper text (only where it helps), and placeholder text if useful. Also write the button label and a one-line note near the button saying what happens after they send it and how fast we reply: [REPLY TIME].
TipPlaceholder text disappears when someone starts typing, so never put essential instructions only in the placeholder.
Write error messages for my website forms for these situations: missing required field, invalid email address, invalid phone number, file too large, and form failed to send.Each message should say what went wrong and how to fix it, in plain language, without blaming the user. Keep each under 15 words. Tone: [TONE].
Write confirmation messages for these actions on my site: [ACTIONS, e.g. contact form sent, booking made, newsletter signup].For each: confirm it worked, say exactly what happens next and when, and give one helpful next step. Keep each under 50 words.
Write the text for my website's 404 page and for these empty states: [e.g. empty cart, no search results].For each, briefly explain what happened, keep the tone [TONE], and give the visitor 2 useful links or actions so they are not stuck.
Here is my current website menu: [LIST MENU ITEMS]Here is what is on each page: [SHORT DESCRIPTIONS]Suggest clearer menu labels of 1 to 2 words that a first-time visitor would understand immediately. Explain any changes, and flag pages that might be better combined.
TipClear beats clever in navigation. Visitors scan menus for familiar words like Services, Pricing and Contact.
Worked example
What a response looks like
The prompt we ranPrompt 1 with: action is requesting a free roof inspection; visitor gets a booked inspection within the week; hesitation is a pushy sales visit.
The responseTop 3: Book my free inspection / Check my roof for free / Get a no-pressure inspection
Others: Schedule an inspection, Request my inspection, See if my roof needs work, Pick an inspection time, Get my roof checked, Book a visit this week, Start with a free check.
Sample response, produced by running this prompt in Claude (Anthropic) with the fictional business above. AI responses vary every time you run a prompt; use this to see the kind of result to expect, not as copy to reuse.
Mistakes to avoid
- Vague buttons such as "Submit" or "Learn more".
- Error messages that blame the user.
- Putting essential instructions only in placeholder text.
- Clever menu labels that visitors do not recognize.
Check every fact, number and claim in AI output before you publish. See how to fact-check AI content.
Frequently asked questions
Does button text really make a difference?
Button text tells people what will happen when they click. Clear, specific labels reduce uncertainty, which helps people act. The best way to know for your own site is to test variations.
More prompt topics
Homepage copyHeadlines, hero sections and full homepage drafts→About pageFounder stories, mission and team pages→Service pagesOne strong page for every service you offer→Landing pagesFocused pages for one offer, campaign or ad→SEO titles and metaPage titles, meta descriptions and headings→FAQ pagesFrequently asked questions that answer real buyers→