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 of 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.
One option for incorporating links is to create a sidebar or menu on the page that leads to supporting information.
What to Link
Sources
Sources can include supporting documents, empirical research and reports,corroborating accounts, definitions, explanations, maps, and artifacts. When referencing a person, link to that person's page. When talking about a movie, link to the trailer. Keep in mind that common knowledge to the author may be foreign to the reader.
External links
These are links that link to other web pages outside of your blog. Using external links are useful in giving access to information that verifies the information presented in your blog, or provided related reading material.
Internal links
These are links that connect the reader to other pages within your blog. One of the most important internal links is a link to the home page. As bloggers, we should keep in mind that not all users access each page through the home page. Providing a link to the homepage gives them access to the rest of your content.Related content
What not to Link
Punctuation marks
When highlighting a word or phrase to link, make sure to exclude all punctuation marks.
Headlines
Ideally, the headline should stand on it's own. It is both distracting and unnecessary to link the title to another page.
Why Link
Credibility
Provide context for your article
Provide attribution
Interactivity
Reward readers with something extra or another layer or dimension to the story
Site traffic
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/