Academic unit site support
Business unit site support
Links
A link (short for hyperlink) is an HTML object that allows you to jump to a new location when you click or tap it. Links are found on almost every webpage and provide a simple means of navigating between pages on the web. Links can be attached to text, images, or other HTML elements. Meaningful link text makes pages more friendly for visitors and search engines.
Overview Accordion Open
Example 01: Hyperlink
This type of link opens a new web page. Visit the NAU Homepage.
Example 02: Mailto link
A mailto link opens a new email with the linked address in the To: field. Contact ITS.
Example 03: Phone link
A phone hyperlink places a call when clicked from a phone or phone-enabled device. Call us at 555-555-1212
How-To Accordion Closed
Choosing the appropriate text for links on a web page
Because people scan text on the web rather than reading, it’s important to choose appropriate text when placing links on a web page. The link text should always describe what the user will see when they click on it. It should never be Click Here, Here, or the URL itself. Meaningful link text is more accessible to all users, but especially helps people who are using assistive technology to read web pages. This is cover under Section 508 of the Americans With Disabilities Act. Search engines use the link text as metadata to help in their rankings. Click here, or the URL does not give them any additional information, but the meaningful text does.
Citation and for further reading: Penn State
Appropriate text for links
For more information, you can check out the stink bug factsheet.
or
The Department of Ecosystem Science and Management has three undergraduate baccalaureate degree programs:
Inappropriate text for links
Some examples of inappropriate ways to create links are:
Click here to check out the stink bug fact sheet.
Check out the stink bug fact sheet at http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/brown-marmorated-stink-bug
Check out the stink bug fact sheet here.
How to place a link on a web page
- Type the words you wish to turn into a link
- Select the words you typed
- Click the link button in the visual editor toolbar (it looks like two chain links)
- Enter the information for the link
- URL: enter the full URL: https://www.nau.edu. If you are linking to a page within your site, you can search for it by typing in part of the page name. A list of options will appear. Select the page you wish to link to
- Mailto: mailto: plus the full email address: mailto:ask-its@nau.edu
- Phone: tel: plus the phone number. Enter +1 for US numbers or appropriate country code otherwise; do not include dashes or spaces: tel:5555551212
- Click the Apply button
Troubleshooting Accordion Closed
If your link isn’t working, check the following:
- Did you use the right kind of link for what you want to do?
- Confirm that the URL, email address, or phone number is complete.
- Double-check the formatting of the link.
If you’re still having trouble, contact the EASI Web team.