Monday, February 14, 2005
The text you associate with links is just as important as the links you choose to use on your site. The text gives users a hint about where the link is taking them so they can decide whether to go along for the ride.
Generally, when you create link text, let users know the following:
Whether they're leaving your site.
What kind of information the page they're linking to contains.
How the linked site relates to the current content or page on your site
The goal of your link text should be to inform users and build their trust. If your link text doesn't give them solid clues about what to expect from your links, they simply won't trust your links -- and won't follow them.
Always avoid the use of "click here" in any link you create. If you link text is well crafted, you don't need the extra words to prompt the user to click on a link. The link text should speak for itself.
Generally, when you create link text, let users know the following:
Whether they're leaving your site.
What kind of information the page they're linking to contains.
How the linked site relates to the current content or page on your site
The goal of your link text should be to inform users and build their trust. If your link text doesn't give them solid clues about what to expect from your links, they simply won't trust your links -- and won't follow them.
Always avoid the use of "click here" in any link you create. If you link text is well crafted, you don't need the extra words to prompt the user to click on a link. The link text should speak for itself.
