Users scan link labels and descriptions in addition to web page content.
- Avoid excessive links within your text. Numerous in-text links can be distracting. Consider adding links as a list below the text (or in a right column), where they can be readily accessed.
- Links should use descriptive text, not a URL or "click here." Use precise wording for the link text, so the user has a clear idea of the content at the link destination.
Example: Visit the CITS help page for more information.
Not: Visit www.umassd.edu/cits/help/ for more information.
Not: Click here for more information
Click here is meaningless to screen readers used by visually-impaired users.
- Designate links to external (non umassd.edu) websites with an icon. Use an icon (), available at the T4 media library shared-->icons folder. This alerts users that they will be leaving your site if they click the link.
- Do not open a new window (using a target attribute) when linking to another web page, even if the link destination is to a web site that is not part of umassd.edu.
When referencing a website or web page in print, try to use the shortest possible URL. The prefixes http:// and www are assumed for most UMass Dartmouth URLs. However, if the URL is to a secure server (https), you may need to reference the entire URL (unless a redirect has been set from a simpler URL.) Similarly, if the URL is non-standard, you may need to reference the entire URL. Test the URL in a browser to be sure it works before listing it in print.
Example: umassd.edu/financialaid, umassd.edu/cas/history/
Email links
- Use link text—not email addresses—for email links.
In T4, you create a link to an email address using the external link icon and then inserting mailto: before the email address: mailto:j2doe@umassd.edu (no spaces)
- To protect email addresses from spammers, our server directs the link to open a secure mail form within the online directory—not in an email client. This protection works best when the link text also hides the address.
Example: If you have questions, email Jane Doe.
Not: If you have questions, email j2doe@umassd.edu.
Please try to follow this recommended practice.
Links to PDFs and Microsoft® Office documents
- Include the document type (PDF, DOC, PPT, XLS) in parentheses after the link text.
- No need to include the file size, because T4 limits the size of media library files to a reasonable download time.
