Creating links
Do use links (hyperlinks)
Links make it easy for the visitor to explore relevant areas of interest, based on what they are currently reading.
Whenever a reference is made in the flow of text to, for example:
- another UHI partner
- a department, school or subject area
- a particular further or higher education course on offer
- an event or news article
- a member of staff with a profile page
- staff or reception contact details
...remember to create a link to that page within the relevant text.
Don't use 'click here' or 'learn more' for link text
This kind of wording is unnecessary extra text, and lacks meaning for search indexing.
Look at the difference between these lines:
- Our Gaelic Language Plan 2014-18 is now available - click here to view the document.
- Click here to view our Gaelic Language Plan 2014-18 which is now available.
- Our Gaelic Language Plan 2014-18 is now available - learn more.
- Our Gaelic Language Plan 2014-18 is now available.
No.4 is the most economical yet meaningful wording to use. The link should always go on the text that is most relevant to the destination page or document. This maintains the flow for easy reading, and provides useful anchor text for search engines, to add meaning to the content.
There's hardly ever any need for click here, or learn more especially when considering that probably around half of readers of the page won't be clicking anywhere - they'll be tapping a mobile or tablet screen.