Links

How to Link

HTML

Creating hypertext with HTML can be done with this simple code: <a href="url">Link text</a>

Example: To link to a page about linking, I would use this code <a href= "http://www.w3schools.com/html/html_links.asp#gsc.tab=0">Links</a>. It would then appear as: Links

Use the Link button

Many blog sites don't require users to write HTML code. These sites offer a method of linking with the click of a button. This button is most often a graphic representing a chain linked together.To use this button, simply highlight the text you wish to link, click the link graphic and insert a url. If you want to remove a link from a word or set of words, highlight the text and click the broken chain graphic. This will remove the link.

Make it obvious where the link leads

When incorporating hypertext into a blog post, make sure that any linked text leads to an obvious destination. Readers should always have a general idea of where each link will take them. Ambiguous links may lead to a loss in credibility.

Contrast

Many blog sites or themes have a default color for links and hypertext. Blue is no longer the only option, but sometimes customization is impossible within a theme. However, if customization is possible, be sure to choose a color for hypertext that will stand out. Contrast is important so that users can tell which words are or are not links.

Use a menu

One option for incorporating links is to create a sidebar or menu on the page that leads to supporting information.

What to Link

External links

Related content

What is the reward for following the link?

Sources, supporting documents, empirical research and reports, and corroborating accounts.

Definitions, explanations, maps, and artifacts.

Internal links

What not to Link

Punctuation marks

Headlines

Why to Link

Credibility

Site traffic

Interactivity

1) Provide context for your article

2) Provide attribution

3) Reward readers with something extra or another layer or dimension to the story

References

http://webdesign.about.com/od/beginningtutorials/qt/external-links.htm

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/02/13/the-definitive-guide-to-styling-web-links/

http://www.w3schools.com/html/html_links.asp#gsc.tab=0