How to Create HTML Buttons That Act Like Links

Ever needed a button that behaves like a link on your website? Whether you’re building a sleek navigation menu or creating call-to-action elements, understanding how to combine button aesthetics with link functionality is essential for modern web development.

The Link-Button Hybrid: Best Practices

Method 1: Styling Links as Buttons

The most semantic and accessible approach is to style an anchor tag to look like a button. This method ensures proper accessibility and maintains native browser behavior.

<a href="/destination" class="button-style">
    Get Started Now
</a>

Add these CSS styles to transform your link into a beautiful button:

.button-style {
    display: inline-block;
    padding: 12px 24px;
    background-color: #007bff;
    color: white;
    text-decoration: none;
    border-radius: 4px;
    font-weight: 500;
    transition: background-color 0.3s ease;
}

.button-style:hover {
    background-color: #0056b3;
}

.button-style:focus {
    outline: 3px solid #0056b3;
    outline-offset: 2px;
}

Method 2: JavaScript Navigation with Buttons

When you need more control over the button’s behavior, using JavaScript is your friend:

<button onclick="window.location.href='/destination'" class="custom-button">
    Explore More
</button>

For better separation of concerns, you can use event listeners:

<button id="navigationButton" class="custom-button">
    Explore More
</button>

<script>
document.getElementById('navigationButton').addEventListener('click', function() {
    window.location.href = '/destination';
});
</script>

Method 3: Form-Wrapped Buttons

Perfect for handling POST requests or when you need to submit data along with navigation:

<form action="/destination" method="post">
    <button type="submit" class="form-button">
        Submit & Continue
    </button>
</form>

Real-World Examples

Navigation Menu Buttons

Create an elegant navigation menu with button-styled links:

<nav class="nav-menu">
    <a href="/home" class="nav-button">Home</a>
    <a href="/products" class="nav-button">Products</a>
    <a href="/contact" class="nav-button">Contact</a>
</nav>

.nav-menu {
    display: flex;
    gap: 16px;
}

.nav-button {
    padding: 8px 16px;
    background-color: transparent;
    border: 2px solid #007bff;
    color: #007bff;
    border-radius: 4px;
    text-decoration: none;
    transition: all 0.3s ease;
}

.nav-button:hover {
    background-color: #007bff;
    color: white;
}

Call-to-Action Button

Create an eye-catching CTA button:

<a href="/signup" class="cta-button">
    Start Your Free Trial
    <span class="arrow">→</span>
</a>

.cta-button {
    display: inline-flex;
    align-items: center;
    gap: 8px;
    padding: 14px 28px;
    background-color: #2ecc71;
    color: white;
    text-decoration: none;
    border-radius: 8px;
    font-size: 18px;
    font-weight: bold;
    transition: transform 0.2s ease;
}

.cta-button:hover {
    transform: translateY(-2px);
}

.arrow {
    transition: transform 0.2s ease;
}

.cta-button:hover .arrow {
    transform: translateX(4px);
}

Accessibility Considerations

When creating button-link hybrids, always remember:

1. Use proper ARIA labels when necessary:

<a href="/download" class="button-style" aria-label="Download our free ebook">
    Download Now
</a>

2. Ensure keyboard navigation works:

.button-style:focus-visible {
    outline: 3px solid #0056b3;
    outline-offset: 2px;
}

3. Maintain color contrast ratios for visibility:

.button-style {
    background-color: #007bff;
    color: white; /* Good contrast ratio */
}

Browser Compatibility

These solutions work across all modern browsers, but here’s a bulletproof approach using feature detection:

const button = document.getElementById('navigationButton');

if (button.addEventListener) {
    button.addEventListener('click', navigateToDestination);
} else if (button.attachEvent) {
    // For older IE versions
    button.attachEvent('onclick', navigateToDestination);
}

function navigateToDestination() {
    window.location.href = '/destination';
}

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

1. Don’t use <div> elements as buttons – they lack proper keyboard accessibility
2. Avoid using <button> elements for primary navigation – <a> tags are more semantic
3. Don’t forget to style the :focus state for keyboard users
4. Remember to maintain proper color contrast for accessibility

Best Practices for Performance

1. Use CSS transforms instead of position properties for animations
2. Debounce click handlers if they perform complex operations
3. Use appropriate cursor styles to indicate interactivity
4. Optimize hover effects for mobile devices

By following these guidelines and examples, you can create buttons that not only look great but also provide a seamless and accessible user experience. Whether you’re building a simple landing page or a complex web application, these techniques will help you create effective button-link combinations that work across all devices and browsers.