White Web Buttons vs. Transparent Buttons: Which Works Better?

.split-button {   display: inline-flex;   background: #fff;   color: #111;   border-radius: 8px;   overflow: hidden; } .split-button .label { padding: 10px 16px; } .split-button .icon {   padding: 10px;   border-left: 1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.06); } 

Design benefit: Conveys additional affordances while staying visually restrained.

Implementation checklist (practical rules)

• Contrast: Ensure text or icon contrast against white meets WCAG AA/AAA as needed. Use darker text or add shadows/backdrops when placed over busy imagery.
• Touch targets: Minimum 44x44px for tappable elements.
• Focus states: Provide clear, visible keyboard focus rings.
• Performance: Keep animations short (<350ms) and prefer transform/opacity changes for GPU acceleration.
• Consistency: Use a limited set of radii, shadows, and padding values across the site to maintain a cohesive minimalist language.

Examples & pairings

• Dark hero background → ghost white button or glass button.
• Light background → elevated flat white button with medium-dark text.
• Image overlay → ghost with backdrop blur or soft-elevated with subtle shadow.
• Primary vs secondary CTAs → make primary slightly more elevated or colored; keep secondary white and understated.

Final notes

White buttons are a minimalist designer’s toolkit: subtle, versatile, and capable of clear communication when used with attention to contrast and accessibility. Choose one or two patterns from the list, establish consistent spacing/radii, and test across backgrounds and devices to ensure each button reads reliably as interactive.