On mobile devices, there is 99.65% chance that they have a calling capabilities.
It’s true that modern mobile browsers will automatically detect phone numbers and convert them to links, it’s a good idea to do this directly in your HTML code. It’s a great way to allow users to call your business with one click and the way to do it is with this simple tel: scheme:
Amazing coffee Service
<a href="tel:+972-3-123-3344">+972-3-123-3344</a>
The result will look like:
Click to Call
You can click on it in order to see the code in action.
Important things to remember:
- It’s better to use the full international dialing format, this way no matter where the user is calling from, whether a hundred meters away or thousands of kilometers, their call will be connected.
- Don’t worry about confirmation, the mobile browser will do it for you.
- If the user is on desktop, the browser will open the default telephony app on the computer (e.g. Google Voice or Skype)
- If you wish to prevent Mobile Safari from automatically detecting phone numbers, and converting phone numbers to links with the associated hyperlink styles. Add the following meta tag to the top of the page:
<meta name="format-detection" content="telephone=no">
In addition to the tel: schema, some modern browsers also support the sms: and mms: schemas.
Last but not least, you should make the call for action (in our case – the “Call” Button) as the biggest link on the page. It must be noticeable. Big buttons won’t entice everyone to make a call, but it will help to reduce the frustration (and abandonment rates) from the visitors who wish to call you. Other ways to enable users to call you will be by using Skype Buttons or facebook ‘call to action‘ buttons.
Happy calling!
Ido Green 