Linking is what makes websites so powerful. There are numerous important things to know about linking to other pages, documents and websites.
Links are made using the Web URL, or Uniform Resource Locator. It is an Internet address, for example, http://www.utexas.edu/. The URL usually consists of:
- the access protocol – https,
- the domain name – www.utexas.edu, and
- optionally the path to a file or resource residing on that website.
Important things to know about links
- Link to pages in the same site vs. links to external websites. Links from one page to another or component within the same site should use a short-hand version of the path.
- Links that jump to content, with an anchor, that is lower on a page.
- Tips for organizing and labeling menus.
- The best words and labels used for links.
- Requirement for links to PDF documents.
- Requirements for links to file types that require a plug-in.
- Choosing URL Address names.
- Tracking links from external sites.
- Best use of color and other visual cues for links.
- Testing for broken links.
- HTTP vs. HTTPS
- Make telephone numbers clickable on smartphones.
- Issues with Changing URLs after a page is live.
- Issues with not providing context in link text.
