What is Click to Call? How Does it Work?

Click to call (also known as click to dial, click to talk, tap to call, or one-click calling) is a feature that allows users to initiate a phone call by simply clicking a number on a digital platform, like a website, mobile app, or email.

Instead of manually typing or copying a phone number, the call is placed automatically using the device’s built-in calling system or a connected business phone system. This allows users to contact a business in one step, with no interruptions or extra effort.

Click-to-call works by making a phone number clickable. When a user taps or clicks the number, their device automatically opens the dialer with the number pre-filled or initiates the call instantly.

1. A business adds a click-to-call link to a website/app: This link is usually created using a “tel:” phone link so the number becomes tappable.
2. The user taps or clicks the phone number: With a single tap, the user initiates the calling process without typing the number manually.
3. The device recognizes the action as a call request: The user’s device automatically detects the click-to-call link and prepares to place the call.
4. The dialer opens with the number pre-filled or the call starts instantly: On mobile devices, this opens the built-in dialer with the number pre-filled, while on desktops, it routes the call through a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) software or a browser-based calling solution.

Click-to-call offers one-click calling, automatically opening the device’s dialer, and pre-filling the correct phone number for accuracy. For businesses, it supports Customer Relationship Management (CRM) integrations and works seamlessly across ads and landing pages.

1. One Click Calling: Users can initiate a call with a single action, without manually dialing the number.
2. Automatic Dialer Activation: The device automatically opens its native dialer or calling application when the number is selected.
3. Pre-filled Phone Number: The dialer opens with the phone number already entered, ensuring accuracy.

1. Integrations with CRM: Click-to-call can be integrated with CRM systems to enable automatic call logging, contact display, and other CRM actions.
2. Ad and Landing Page Compatibility: Click-to-call can be implemented in digital ads and campaign landing pages.

Click-to-call benefits users by making it easy to contact businesses instantly, reducing effort, improving accuracy, and creating a smooth transition from online browsing to real-time support. For businesses, it drives more inbound calls, increases conversions, attracts higher-intent leads, and improves customer experience while integrating seamlessly with existing tools and workflows.

For Customers:

1. Convenience: Customers can call a business instantly with one tap, without typing or copying a phone number.
2. Smooth Experience: Click-to-call connects online browsing directly to phone support, making the journey from interest to help feel natural and effortless.
3. Greater Accuracy: Prevents calling the wrong number since the system auto-fills the correct contact.

For Businesses:

1. More Customer Calls: Visitors can contact a business instantly with one tap, resulting in more inquiries from users who already show interest in its products or services.
2. Higher Conversion Rates: Removing the need for manual dialing reduces drop-offs and helps convert website visitors and ad clicks into real conversations.
3. Better Quality Leads: Call-based interactions typically indicate strong intent, allowing sales teams to focus on more serious and qualified prospects.
4. Improved Customer Experience: Easy access to live support builds trust and presents the business as reliable and professional.
5. Compatibility with Existing Tools: Call details can be automatically logged with customer data, enabling teams to deliver more personalized and informed service.

You can set up click-to-call on a website by adding a simple tel: link in your HTML or enabling a third-party click-to-call tool. After configuring the phone number and button settings, publish the changes and test on a mobile device to ensure calls connect correctly.

• Step 1: Choose the Phone Number
  Decide which phone number you want customers to call.
• Step 2: Create the Click-to-Call Link
  Use the ‘tel:’ format to turn the phone number into a clickable link.
  Example: <a href="tel:+124567890">Call Us Now</a>.
• Step 3: Add the Link to Your Website
  Insert the number into a visible area of your site, such as the header, contact page, footer, or call-to-action section.
• Step 4: Save and Publish
  Update your webpage and make the changes live.
• Step 5: Test the Link
  Open your website on a mobile device and tap the number to confirm it opens the phone’s dialer correctly.

• Step 1: Install the Extension 
  Visit your browser’s extension store (like Chrome Web Store) and download a click-to-call extension.
• Step 2: Sign In and Connect Your Account
  After installation, sign in with your click-to-call provider account to link your business phone number.
• Step 3: Configure Your Preferences
  Open the extension’s settings to set options such as your default calling number and other features the provider offers.
• Step 4: Enable Click-to-Call on Websites
  Once configured, any phone number on supported websites becomes clickable. Clicking a number automatically initiates a call through your phone system without manual dialing.
• Step 5: Test and Monitor
  Try calling a few numbers to ensure the system works smoothly. Many providers also offer dashboards to track calls and monitor performance.

Click-to-call simplifies the way customers connect with businesses by removing unnecessary steps and friction from the calling process. By allowing users to place a call with a single tap or click, it creates a faster, more convenient, and more accurate communication experience.

While click-to-call works seamlessly on mobile devices through the built-in phone dialer, laptops and desktops require a compatible phone system to handle calls. This is where Calilio becomes a reliable solution, providing a full phone system with a browser-based click-to-call extension that enables users to place calls instantly from the web.