Links Student Web Presence Guidelines Summary 1. The Purpose of - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Links

Student Web Presence Guidelines

Summary

1. The Purpose of Links

• 2. Worst Links
• 3. Best Links
• 4. Writing Meaningful Links
• 5. Using internal links
• 6. Using External links
• 7. Link Rot and dead links
• 8. Preventing link rot

• 1. The Purpose of Links

"Life is too short to click on an unknown.“ (Neilsen)

• Connect pages
• Helps user predict what will happen
• Is a step in helping the user achieve their task

• 2. Worst Links

“The only text more useless than “learn more” is “click here” (Spool)

• Use non-descriptive link text such as click here, more,

learn more, etc.

• Use clever, made up words
• Use University jargon unfamiliar to students
• Look like other links on the page
• Are lost in paragraphs full of other links
• Distracts the user from the task they are trying to

complete

• Wastes users time
• Are broken

• 3. Best Links

"Life is too short to click on an unknown.“ (Neilsen)

• Are descriptive
• Are scannable
• Place important words at the front of link text
• Used plain language
• Specific and clear
• Use common words
• Limit link text to a maximum of four words
• Start with the essence of the message
• Are action oriented
• Obvious to the reader
• Are unique, independent, distinct, separate

Examples of Links

a.

To request a transcript click here

b.

You can book at place on this page

c.

… is the general rule. More

d.

in the UK on this link

e.

advice centre as a useful web page

Weak links Stronger links

• a. Request a transcript
• b. Book a place
• c. Check visa rules
• d. apply to the Embassy
• e. staying safe in Sheffield

• 4. Writing Meaningful links

“If I click on a link or button that says “Hot mashed potatoes,” the site will take me to a page named Hot mashed potatoes.”” (Krug)

• Start with the link not the sentence
• Use keywords in links
• Start with a verb
• Don’t use URls e.g. www.sheffield.ac.uk/history
• Avoid links with similar names
• Launch and land on same name (see quote above)

• 5. Using Internal Links

“Fewer objects on a page the more likely people will notice them” Neilsen and Loranger

• Use keywords in links
• Avoid over-linking
• Avoid putting links in sentences because this makes it

harder to read

• Use link text consistently
• Links at end of paragraph / section / page
• Put links in separate lines after the content
• Bullet listed links make them stand out
• Have unique beginnings for all your links

• 6. Using External links

“Fewer objects on a page the more likely people will notice them” Neilsen and Loranger

• Can for an added value part of your content
• Name the site the link will lead to
• List the best quality external sites
• remember your referral reflects on your site
• Add details about what can be found on external site
• Too many external sites draws attention away from the

important ones

• Include warnings about possible problems on the

destination site

• 7. Link Rot

“The natural decay of web links as the sites they're connected to change or die.”

• Studies show 20% to 30% pages have broken links
• Will happen over time
• You may be the cause as well as the victim
• Broken links cause frustration and irritation
• Broken links make your site look untended
• Broken links will damage your reputation
• Google demotes sites with link rot
• Customer bookmark your pages

• 8. Preventing Link Rot

“The natural decay of web links as the sites they're connected to change or die.”

• Check your Links Regularly
• Do not link to sub-pages ("deep linking")
• Don’t have too many external links
• Don’t delete pages - reuse them
• Don’t link to sites that are always changing
• Avoid using URLs that point to resources on a obscure

sites

• Check Your Site Stats
• Don’t date pages or downloads

• 8. Preventing Link Rot

“The natural decay of web links as the sites they're connected to change or die.”

• Check your Links Regularly
• Do not link to sub-pages ("deep linking")
• Don’t have too many external links
• Don’t delete pages - reuse them
• Don’t link to sites that are always changing
• Avoid using URLs that point to resources on a obscure

sites

• Check Your Site Stats
• Don’t date pages or downloads

References

• Reddish J (2012) “Letting Go of the Words”, second

edition, Morgan Kaufman

• Neilsen J (2000) “Designing Web Usability”, New

Riders

• Neilsen J and Loranger H (2006) “Prioritising web

Usability”, New Riders

• McGovern G (2012) “Tips for Writing Great Links”

http://www.gerrymcgovern.com/new-thinking/tips- writing-great-links

• McCloskey M (2014)“Writing Hyperlinks: Salient,

Descriptive, Start with Keyword” http://www.nngroup.com/articles/writing-links/