Design vs Art Blog » Descriptive Link Names

Embedding Links Into Content

Alexis Brion — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 06:14:09 +0000

Embedding links into your content encourages users to visit other sections of your website. Placing links into articles also gives more context and value to users.

"A common problem is that users do not understand where the link could go…"

It’s important to pay attention on the way these links are done. A common problem is that users do not understand where the link could go. On the example below, taken from News.com, it’s clear for most users that clicking on "struck licensing agreements" would link to an article about that. On the other hand, clicking on "Imeem", would take the user to the company’s website or to other news about it?

The New York Times goes one step forward making embedded links more understandable, predictable and user friendly. As the user hover over the candidates’ names in this politics article, the link label appears telling users that they would be taken to more articles about that candidate. Using proper link labeling improves usability and avoid confusion. (Mouse arrow is not displayed).

Distinctive Web Search Results Pages

Alexis Brion — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 11:38:06 +0000

Providing different URLs for every web search result page will give users the possibility to copy and paste the link. That means that they can make a search and easily send the results to another person.

Taking care of usability issues improves the user experience and could increase your sales. This is a good example. Imagine customers sending search results to their friends or partner to discuss about the next thing to buy. Make users’ life easier and you will win too.

Amazon is again an example of good web design. The URL has an estrange code for internal use but it was a smart decision to add the search terms to it (e.g. art + deco), so users can remember what was that link about.

Good Link Names Improve Usability

Alexis Brion — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 06:02:55 +0000

Using descriptive link names will make your website interface easy to understand and more predictable to users. If users go to your site just for fun or if your site is for kids, hidden surprises could be OK. But if users want to find useful information in your site you should avoid the unexpected.

Verizon FiOS Internet site provides a lot of text information but they also have a link called “Experience FiOs”, which is a pop-up with video and sound. That’s annoying for some users. But others could be interested in watching that video but they miss it because there is no “video” link. This is an example of bad link naming:

Another example of bad link naming could be found at VCarious, a kind of social network for travelers. They give users the possibility to upload pictures of their trips but the link to the pictures is called “Visuals”. Why not using the hyper-standard word “picture”? Someone wants to confuse users…

Disclaimer: with this kind of article I want to point out usability and interface problems some sites could have. Please do not take this as an attack, take it as a free advice. I would like to make clear that this design problems could happen for many reasons, including lack of time or money.