Good hyperlinks: Resist saying “click here”
More and more people are making their own webpages via blogs, site wizards, and even editing their own pages in HTML. One habit people get into when making hyperlinks or “anchors” – i.e. the stuff underlined in blue – is using “click here” for a hyperlink text. A quick way to improve your website usability is to remove these words from your vocabulary!
Why? First, it’s too generic – it doesn’t tell people what they will get it if they click. When users scan your page, the hyperlinked text stands out, and they don’t have time to click every link to see if it will be useful to them. So, tell them what clicking that link will do for them.
Second, it’s redundant – the fact that the text is underlined or looks like a button tells people that is where to click.
Finally, you lose an opportunity to highlight keywords for search engines. Search engines will automatically assume that the words contained in the link are pertinent to your site, so make sure you have keywords or phrases in there.
Examples:
BAD: Click here to review our services
GOOD: Website Design Services
BAD: Click here to register
GOOD: Register for Website Design Seminar