|
- Give the user choices: Offer more than one link on each page.
- Do not use similar phrases to link to different pages (i.e., "Who
We Are" linked to a staff photo page and "About Us" linked to a
company profile). Do not create False Twin Links (see Four bad
links).
- If you must link to the same thing more than once on a single
page, use very similar text or the same graphic for each of the
links. Do not create Non-Identical Twin Links (see Four bad
links).
- Unless you are creating a comprehensive directory, do not offer
users a lot of similar options; be selective.
Do an editor's job: Choose the best and eliminate the
rest.
- Do not give users too many options, even
dissimilar ones. Again -- do an editor's job by eliminating the less
important links.
- Do not hide or "bury" links to pages to which many users will
want access (such as "How to Order" or "References").
Anticipate the users' goals and desires,
and prioritize.
- Avoid irrelevant, extraneous, or unnecessary links. They burden
users and make your site seem less useful.
- Do not send users away from your site without a good
reason. The page you send them to should be relevant, excellent, and
not like anything you could (or do) offer on your own site.
- Write the link text to give a reasonable expectation of what the
link will deliver. Do not create Mystery Links or Trick
Links (see Four bad
links).
- Never use the phrase "click here." It does not tell users anything.
|
primary threads:
When hypertext is better
Components defined
Building hypertexts: Process
The control paradox
top page:
Hypertext
|