Buttons
Buttons
Effective Date: February 1, 2026
Last Updated: February 1, 2026
Definition
Buttons are a primary way users interact with a Hibu One Smart Site. They guide visitors toward key actions (e.g., contacting a business, requesting a quote, or, simply, learning more). Button style, size, and text are defined by design standards but must always remain clear, accessible, and consistent.
Design & Accessibility
- Use the Contrast Checker in the editor to ensure text meets accessibility standards.
- Aim for green check (AA or AAA) compliance.
- Strong contrast improves readability, accessibility, and conversions.
Color & Theme Rules
- Primary and secondary button colors — including both default and hover states — are linked to theme color placeholders:
-
18 – Button Primary -
19 – Button Secondary - By design, the secondary button’s on/hover colors are the inverse of the primary button for visual balance and consistency.
- Font color for all buttons is linked to
2 – Whiteby default.
Adjusting Button Colors
- Designers may update button primary, secondary, or font color values only at the theme level — never inline on the page.
- Inline color edits prevent future theme-level updates from applying correctly and create maintenance issues.
- Any changes should maintain strong color contrast for readability.
- When customizing, the secondary button should typically remain the opposite of the primary to preserve hierarchy and consistency.
Borders & Effects
- Button borders are off by default.
- If a border is needed for design clarity, set the border width to 1px on both primary and secondary buttons.
- By default, this adds a 1px white border in both the on and hover states.
- Gradients on buttons are strictly prohibited. Flat color designs support clarity, contrast, and consistency across all devices.
Corner Radius (Button Roundness)
Research consistently shows that rounded buttons outperform sharp-cornered ones in click-through rates. Rounded shapes are perceived as more friendly and approachable, encouraging user interaction — whereas sharp edges can feel formal or even intimidating.
- Default: Corner radius is set to 10 px.
- Increase roundness (e.g., 20–30 px): Only if the brand style calls for softer, friendlier shapes — for example, wellness, childcare, or community-focused businesses.
- Remove roundness (0 px): Only if the brand identity or design aesthetic demands a sharper, more structured look — for example, law firms, financial institutions, or industrial services.
- Button shadow: Off by default. Use extreme caution if enabling shadows, as they may render poorly on colored or textured backgrounds and can reduce accessibility.
Button Text Best Practices
- In most cases, “Learn More” is the right choice. It’s simple, expected, and works well across most copy blocks and callouts.
- In some cases, however, a more specific, action-oriented call to action fits better. Examples include:
- Menu: “View Menu”
- Event: “Register Now”
- Estimate: “Request Estimate”
- Careers: “View Openings”
- Blog: “Read Article”
- Download: “Download Guide”
- Use the “I want to…” test when deciding: complete the phrase from the visitor’s perspective.
- Example: If the button text is “Request Estimate,” the user is essentially saying, “I want to request an estimate.”
- This keeps labels user-focused and action-oriented.