HTML links are the foundation of creating engaging and effective website content. From linking within your page to creating hyperlinks to other websites, learning how to use HTML links is an essential skill for any website developer. In this post, you'll learn about all the best practices when it comes to linking with HTML.
What is an HTML Link?
An HTML link is a piece of code which allows you to connect two pieces of online content together. Links are usually text or images that when clicked on, take users from one place to another. These links can be internal, linking from one page on your website to another, or external, linking from your website to an entirely different website.
How to Create an HTML Link.
Creating an HTML link is a simple process, requiring just a few steps. First, you need to type the text of what you want the link to say. This can be as simple as “Click here” or it can be more specific like “Check out our blog.” Then, in the same line of HTML code, add the tag for linking; this looks like this , where “http://example.com/” is replaced with the actual URL you want to link to (e.g., http://www.mywebsite.com). Finally, add in a closing tag which will look like . When you save and preview your document, you should see a clickable link appear!
Internal vs. External Links.
When linking from one page to another in your website, you should decide whether it’s an internal or external link. An internal link points to a different page within your domain name while an external link points to a page outside of your domain. It’s important to use both types, depending on the situation. Internal links help keep visitors browsing your site, while external links provide credibility by directing visitors to authoritative sources.
Anchor Links & Navigation Menus.
Anchor links are HTML elements that point to a specific section of a page. That’s why they’re common in navigation menus, allowing visitors to jump directly to the content they want. To create anchor links, you need to use the 'a' tag (for example: Section 2), and link it with the "id" in your target element (for example:
Section 2). This means when someone clicks the link, their browser will automatically scroll down to what you have targeted in your “id”.
How to Specify Different Link Targets.
In many cases, you might want to link to an external website or a different section of your own page. To specify this, you simply need to add the URL of the target in the href attribute. For example, Go To Example, will link to http://www.example.com; meanwhile Go To Section 4, will go directly to content with id="section-4"
Conclusion:
This guide on HTML Linking Best Practices for beginners has provided an overview of how to effectively utilize links in your website's HTML. Working with HTML and links is a crucial skill for any web developer, so familiarizing yourself with these best practices is essential in creating high-quality and optimized websites. With the right knowledge and implementation of HTML linking principles, you can ensure your website's success.
