Links
Using links to create an effective user experience and improve search engine performance is key in good web page design.
Where can I add a link?
On generic content pages, links can be included:
- Within the text of a page
- These should be on their own separate line, and not included with bullet lists or headings.
- In a table or definition list
- We advise that you use links in a consistent manner with tabular data, for example every item in a given column should be a link.
- In a feature box
-
There is no limit on the number of links.
Links on homepages, overview pages and contact assets work differently.
Link styling
Links should be formatted on their own line, without a bullet.
Although inline links are technically possible in EdWeb, it's important not to use them. The site design is still evolving and if additional styling is used for links in the future, existing bulleted or inline links may break the page design.
Button links - calls to action
You can add extra styling to key links on your page, or 'calls to action'. You should avoid using this styling too often, and should have a clear purpose and consistency behind it.
For example, on this site we have made all the links to how-to information on the wiki into button links with the 'further information' icon.
This table shows how the different types of link styling appear. We've done this for demonstration purposes, but wouldn't normally recommend having more than one or two calls to action on a page.
| Style | Alignment | Icon | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Button | Inline | Further information | Adding a link- EdWeb Support wiki [EASE login required] |
| Button | Inline | Further information | University Web Style Guide |
| Button | Inline |
Question |
What pages should be hidden in navigation? - Information Architecture |
| Button | Block | Play/Listen/watch | Managing overview pages - Watch our video |
| Button | Block | Contact/person/profile | Contact us |
| Outline button | Inline | Map/location | View a map of Argyle House - HTML blocks [EASE login required] |
| Outline button | Inline | Register/book/form | Request a new EdWeb site - complete our form - Website Publishing site |
| Outline button | Inline | Generic (chevron) | Standout elements in EdWeb |
| Outline button | Block | Share | Share this page on Twitter |
| Outline button | Block | Search/find | Search now for 'calls to action' on the University website |
| Outline button | Block | None | Adding a link- EdWeb Support wiki [EASE login required] |
Writing great links - how & why
You can find out more about crafting great links, including why we avoid inline links, from our videos as part of the Effective Digital Content training.
Link text - watch the video on Media Hopper (6 and a half minutes)
Link placement - watch the video on Media Hopper (4 and a half minutes)