Making your Carrd website more interactive with clickable phone numbers and text messaging links is easier than you think. Whether you’re building a business landing page, portfolio, or personal site, adding call and text functionality can significantly improve user engagement and conversions.
In this comprehensive tutorial, you’ll learn exactly how to create both call and text links on Carrd using simple formatting techniques.
What Are Call and Text Links?
Call and text links are clickable elements that automatically open your visitor’s phone app or messaging app when clicked. Instead of making users manually copy and paste your phone number, these links provide instant access to contact you.
Benefits of using call and text links:
- Improve user experience and reduce friction
- Increase conversion rates for businesses
- Make your site more mobile-friendly
- Provide instant contact options for visitors
How to Create a Call Link on Carrd
Step 1: Add a Text Element
- Open your Carrd editor
- Click the “+” button to add a new element
- Select “Text” from the element options
Step 2: Format Your Phone Number Link
In your text element, use this exact format:
[+1 (555) 555-5555](tel:+15555555555)Important formatting notes:
- Replace the example number with your actual phone number
- Keep the brackets
[ ]around your phone number - Use the international format with country code for best compatibility
Step 3: Configure the Link Settings
- Select your formatted phone number text
- In the text formatting panel, you’ll see link options
- Replace the
#in the URL field with:tel:+15555555555 - Remove any spaces, dashes, or parentheses from the tel: URL
Example:
- Display text:
[+1 (555) 555-5555] - Link URL:
tel:+15555555555
How to Create a Text Message Link on Carrd
Step 1: Add Your Text Element
Follow the same process as above to add a text element to your Carrd.
Step 2: Format Your Text Link
Use this format for text messaging links:
[Text Me](sms:+15555555555)For more advanced text links with pre-filled messages:
[Send Message](sms:+15555555555?body=Hello%20there!)Step 3: Customize Your Message (Optional)
You can pre-fill the text message by adding ?body= followed by your message:
- Replace spaces with
%20 - Keep messages short and relevant
- Test on different devices to ensure compatibility
Advanced Formatting Options
Carrd supports various text formatting options that you can combine with your call and text links:
Styling Your Links
- Bold:
**[+1 (555) 555-5555](#)** - Italic:
*[Text Me](#)* - Bold + Italic:
***[Call Now](#)*** - Underline:
__[+1 (555) 555-5555](#)__
Adding Visual Elements
- Highlight:
==[Call Now](#)== - Color:
[Call Me]{colorname}or[Call Me]{#colorcode}
Best Practices for Call and Text Links
Mobile Optimization
- Always test your links on both iOS and Android devices
- Use international phone number formatting (+1 for US numbers)
- Consider adding both call and text options for maximum accessibility
User Experience Tips
- Make your links visually distinct from regular text
- Use action-oriented language like “Call Now” or “Text Me”
- Place contact links prominently on your page
- Consider using button elements instead of text links for better visibility
Professional Presentation
- Keep phone number formatting consistent throughout your site
- Use professional language in pre-filled text messages
- Test all links before publishing your site
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Links Not Working?
- Double-check the
tel:andsms:formatting - Ensure there are no extra spaces in your phone number
- Verify the country code is included
- Test on different browsers and devices
Formatting Problems?
- Make sure you’re using the correct Markdown syntax
- Check that brackets and parentheses are properly matched
- Ensure the link URL doesn’t contain spaces or special characters
Mobile Compatibility Issues?
- Some older devices may not support SMS links with pre-filled messages
- Always provide a fallback display of your phone number
- Test across different mobile operating systems
Alternative Methods
Using Button Elements
Instead of text links, you can also create call and text buttons:
- Add a Button element to your Carrd
- Set the button text to “Call Now” or “Text Me”
- Use the same
tel:orsms:URLs in the button’s link field
Creating Contact Forms
For more complex communication needs, consider adding Carrd’s built-in form elements alongside your call and text links.
Final Tips for Success
Before Publishing:
- Test all links on multiple devices
- Verify phone numbers are correct and active
- Check that formatting displays properly on different screen sizes
- Consider adding multiple contact methods for user preference
For Business Use:
- Include your business hours near contact links
- Add a brief call-to-action explaining when to call vs. text
- Monitor engagement to see which contact methods users prefer
Conclusion
Adding call and text links to your Carrd website is a simple but powerful way to improve user engagement and make it easier for visitors to contact you. By following the formatting guidelines in this tutorial, you can create professional, functional contact links that work seamlessly across all devices.
Remember to test your links thoroughly and consider your audience’s preferences when deciding between call, text, or both options. With these techniques, you’ll have a more interactive and user-friendly Carrd website that converts visitors into contacts.
Web designer and developer. I love building high-converting 1-page website templates for Carrd. I’ve been featured on: Behance, Canva, Search Engine Journal, CBC, CTV and more…
