Article · ~6 min read

"Get Started" Stops Users

Aurora Harley and Kim Flaherty · Nielsen Norman Group Free Beginner

A pointed case study in obvious labels over clever ones. A vague "Get Started" button reads as friendly but leaves people unsure what happens next, so they hesitate. It shows how naming the actual outcome on a button raises both confidence and clicks.

  • Label buttons with the outcome, so a person knows what happens before clicking.
  • Generic calls to action lower information scent and create hesitation.
  • Specific verbs beat friendly filler on every primary action.
Open on nngroup.com ↗

The question it answers

  1. I keep hearing "don't make me think" but what does that actually mean when I'm designing a screen?

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