Hyperlinks
Hyperlinks to related information
Structure your text into blocks and use hyperlinks to present different but related topics on separate pages. This enables users to drill deeper for information if they want to, or to ignore material they don't find relevant.
As not all users are interested in the prehistory of a topic, background information can be presented in this way.
Hyperlink descriptive words or phrases that will let the reader know what the destination page contains (e.g. use 'further information on sand crabs is available...' rather than 'further information is available here...').
Never use a URL as a hyperlink within a sentence:
- Instead of 'full details are available at: http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/T/TownsvBrkECenA91_01_.pdf' use 'full details are available in the Townsville Breakwater Entertainment Centre Act 1991'
- Instead of '...more information is available at: http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au' use '...more information is available from the Brisbane City Council'
When you do need to display URLs they should be hyperlinked (e.g. for lists of references or related links that may be printed and used at a later date).
Don't waste words explaining the process, but let the hypertext do the work:
- Instead of 'Click here for full details in the latest newsletter' use 'The latest newsletter has full details'
Avoid hyperlinking to other sites on the index or top-level pages (particularly in the first paragraph) of your site, so your readers don't leave prematurely. External links are more appropriate on the destination, or content pages of a site.
Avoid overcrowding the text with hyperlinks as this can be distracting. Put a list of them under a 'Related information' heading at the end if necessary.
Check that all hyperlinks you have used are correct and working.
Note:
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URLs do not necessarily start with www.
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It is not always necessary to include http:// in the link text.
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Secure links must always display https://.
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The www. prefix should be included when it is useful for identifying the resource as a web address.
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If it is necessary to break a URL over two lines, do so only at a punctuation separator.
