People read differently online, quickly scanning webpages instead of reading word by word. Along with headings and bulleted/numbered lists, links are one of the elements that draw a user’s eye as they scan a page, looking for relevant content.
People using screen readers often follow a similar pattern, skipping from link to link down a page to find the information they seek.
Learn how to create links that meet this behavior and build trust with your audience. If you have any questions about links, contact the web team at webcommunications@niu.edu.
Fix Broken Links
First, make sure your links are up to date. Both internal links to other NIU webpages and links outside the niu.edu domain can break when sites are updated or reorganized.
Broken links can harm the trust between you and your users, prompting them to turn to other sources for reliable information. So, plan to check and update your links as part of a summer content refresh.
Revise Inaccurate or Vague Link Text
Link text should be accurate and informative enough to stand on its own when removed from context – as it will be when users are jumping from link to link as they scan the page.
Read your link text out of context. If it doesn’t provide enough information about where it leads, revise it accordingly. Avoid using the same link text multiple times on a page, as this can be confusing to users.
Ineffective link text: Our new program for sophomores will begin next semester. Learn more.
Effective link text: Learn more about our new program for sophomores, which begins next semester.
Tips
- Don’t make links bold. The automatically applied underlining already makes them stand out.
- Use the go.NIU link shortener to create easy-to-read links that provide stable reference points.
- Include the file type in all caps at the end of links to documents (PDF, DOCX, etc.).
- Provide email addresses instead of linking a phrase or name.
Examples
- Not effective (URL is too long to spell out): Fill out the web update request form at https://www.niu.edu/emmc/web-internal-communications/web/updates.shtml.
- Effective (URL is brief enough to provide in full): Request a web update at go.niu.edu/webupdate.
- Not effective (link text is vague): Click here to fill out the web update request form.
- Effective (link text is descriptive): Fill out the web update request form.
- Not effective (not clear that the link is to an email address): Contact the web team if you have any questions.
- Effective (clear that the link is to an email address): Contact the web team at webcommunications@niu.edu if you have any questions.
