Using Hypertext Wisely

Hyperlinking is a powerful and important tool for writing for the web. David Walbert from www.learnnc.org calls links the soul of the internet. But where and how do you link to support your content? 

What should be linked?

If users may want to go to another Web site (or another page within your own site) based on something you have written, then you should provide a link. For example, if you mention any companies or organizations, you could link to their websites. When you want to reference other articles, linking to them gives readers the option of learning more about the topic before going on with the current article.

Where to link?

There are several factors to consider when deciding to embed your links or set them aside.

what type of content are you providing?

• embed your links, if the web page is mainly providing quick bites of information
• consider moving the links to the side, the end,  or another page entirely when providing a longer explanation of a complex idea

who is in control?

Plentiful and obvious links let readers find their own paths through hyperspace and make their own connections among content. If you want readers to follow your agenda, provide links to helpful information at the end.

how closely related the link is to your main topic?

• if you’re linking to a website about a similar topic just in case your readers are interested, you may want to save it for a sidebar or the end of the article. 
• if you link from the article to an opposing viewpoint, do it in a sidebar, because you would want readers to finish reading the article first.

What text should you link?

• Links should be brief but descriptive. 
• If links are included within the text, simply pick the words that describe the link. 
• If links are separate from the text, for example at the end of an article or on a separate links page, it's standard to link the title of the website, and then include a brief description.