Hyperlinks and email links
The web is a linking medium. Using hyperlinks for cross-referencing of information and linking to external websites can make for more user-friendly text. Good cross-referencing is preferable to endless repetition of information.
Hyperlinks can also be used to split information into more manageable chunks. A number of smaller pages linked together is preferable to one long page of information. However, be careful not to break up information arbitrarily.
Presentation of links
Whenever you create a link to another web page, whether it is an internal or external link, the link should be embedded into the text rather than written out in full.
Examples of incorrect and correct presentation of hyperlinks:
| Incorrect link presentation | Correct link presentation |
|---|---|
| Read the 5-14 Guidelines at http://www.LTScotland.org.uk/5to14/guidelines | Read the 5-14 Guidelines. |
| Science Live (http://www.sciencelive.net) is the online guide to science presenters and outreach shows. | Science Live is the online guide to science presenters and outreach shows. |
Wording of links
It is essential that the text which acts as the link is meaningful. It should indicate as accurately as possible where the text links to.
Where the title of the piece of information is descriptive and concise you should use the exact title as the link text. However, if the title is too long, or a poor description of the page to which you are linking, you can use more descriptive text as your link.
| Poor wording of hyperlinks | Good wording of hyperlinks |
|---|---|
| A BBC article describes the competition launch. | The BBC article Children examine 'modern Wallace’ describes the competition launch. |
| A SEED news release provides more information. | The SEED news release Schools of Ambition contenders provides more information. |
Terms to avoid in link text
Do not use terms such as ‘click here’, ‘more information’ and ‘show me how’ as the text for hyperlinks. Using meaningful text for each hyperlink makes it easier for users who may scan the web page for links, either visually or with a screen reader.When you are ‘deep linking’ to another website (linking directly to a page other than the home page) you must include a reference to the wider website or organisation responsible for the content, for example the BBC or SEED in the examples above. This helps users understand where the link will take them and also credits the destination website in line with copyright good practice.
Title attributes for links
A title attribute for a link can offer more detailed information about the content of the page to which you are linking in a short, descriptive sentence. The title attribute will appear when a user hovers their mouse over the link.
Sentence case should be used for all title attributes (with the exception of abbreviations and proper names).
No full stop is required at the end of the title attribute.
When you are deep linking to another website you should be specific about the section or piece of information you are linking to in your title attribute.
Examples of title attributes (hover your mouse over the hyperlinks to see the title attributes):
| Link text | Title attribute |
|---|---|
| Email bulletin | Subscribe to the Early Years email bulletin |
| Numbertime | Link to BBC website: Numbertime |
Links to email addresses
Where an email address is embedded in body text, the name of the person or organisation should always be the link.
The email address should also be written out in full as non-linked text to enable users to easily copy and paste the email address if required.
Examples of email links:
Email: Literacy Content Editor
literacy@LTScotland.org.uk
Email: Enquiries
enquiries@LTScotland.org.uk
Title attributes for embedded email links
A title attribute for an email address is displayed when the user hovers their mouse over the email link.
For embedded email links the title attribute is always ‘Email (name of person)’ or ‘Email (name of organisation)’.
Hover your mouse over the above examples to see the title attributes.