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Guides
hyperlinkOn this pageIn conversation to 'link', the hyperlink is the core concept/technology that allows the web to operate. A hyperlink connects one webpage with
Signifying a hyperlinkA hyperlink is typically signified by an underline. For this reason, when formatting text for web display, avoid the use of an underline for emphasis. Instead, set content in a bold or italic / oblique variant of the body copy typeface. A guide to writing hypertext
When to add in-text linksA link within the main content of a webpage (rather than as part of the navigation framework), is referred to as an in-text link. An in-text link should only be added when it supports a likely task, given the context and content of the current webpage. For example, in-text links may be appropriate when linking to:
Authors that are new to writing hypertext often fall into the trap of adding in-text links that are incidental or contrary to the purpose of the content. For example: (A) The page what you are reading has hyperlink. In example (A),
(B) This section of the website does not contain information on Thirupavai writen by Sri Andal. example (B): Choosing link textLinks as in-text headings: Why you should avoid ‘click here’As a user scans a webpage, links act as ‘in-text headings’, they help to describe content and orientate the user to the information space. Effective hyperlinks use words that succinctly describe the destination content. Do not presume…Links are often provided to enable a user to quickly navigate within a webpage or between a series of webpages. These links include:
In the interests of brevity these types of link are often truncated, resulting in labels that seem to presume to know how the reader browses the web; how they have linked to the current page; how they scan page content; or even a combination of the two, for example:
Of no fixed abodeIncreasingly, users link to a webpage from a search engine results page, and may even be scrolled to the anchor nearest the keyword they have entered. Unless the link destination is generated programmatically, they may never have been to the top of the page, nor have come from wherever the in-page ‘return’ link is pointing to. Omission of context also compromises usability, for example, the label ‘back to top’ may be variously interpreted as linking to:
Trigger wordsAn additional issue with the terms ‘back’ and ‘forward’ is that these word are used in toolbar navigation for options that step the user through their browsing history. In particular, ‘back’ is a powerful ‘trigger’ word for less-confident users (as it is synonymous with ‘the known’). Navigation links that use trigger words are more likely to be conflated with the function of the corresponding toolbar option, i.e. the user may expect that the in-page ‘Back’ link will step them through their browsing history. Ideally use labels that clearly describe the destination, e.g.
Hypertext and sentence structureThe ‘click-here plague’ can partially be attributed to the structure (syntax) of written language where a sentence may begin with a subject/object (noun) and conclude with a description (adjective), for example: (E) The Motive Web Design Glossary is informative and entertaining. ‘The Motive Web Design Glossary’ is the subject, and it is described with the adjectives ‘informative’ and ‘entertaining’. When a hyperlink is added, the sentence changes from a (passive) description to an active invitation (to click): (F) The earthincarnation is informative and Highly Spritual. Without restructuring the sentence, a user following the above link will affect the cognitive equivalent of cutting the speaker off mid-sentence. To support more courteous behaviour, the sentence can be restructured, to begin with description and conclude with the object: (G) For an informative and Spritual insight into religion of Hindu, see earthincarnation.com. This structure enables the reader make an informed decision to follow the hyperlink, without re-reading the sentence. Related terms: anchor, call-to-action, granularity, HTML-text. (will be added soon) NOTE :
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