Writing your web content

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Suggest what to do next

Suggest to your users what they can do next once they have read the information.

For example:

• To apply, fill out the application form.
• For advice on which course to take, phone us on…

Make links clear

Link from descriptive text

When you are linking to another part of the page, another page or a different website make sure you use clear wording for the link.

Use:

• key words that describe the information you are linking to
• phrases that represent what you are linking to so that users are not confused when they reach that page
• link text that will make sense out of context, without the text that surrounds it in the sentence.

Don't use:

• the full website address or URL for the link
• non-descriptive text like 'click here', 'more' or 'further information'.

Both of these techniques are unhelpful for users scanning the page to find relevant links. They also cause accessibility problems for people using particular technology to access the site

For example, use:

• See the Annual report for more information.

Don't use:

• See the Annual report for more information, or
• See http://wwww.mywebpage/home/homepage/index.asp for more information.

Explain what you are linking to

Explain what the link is to by giving a summary or context nearby so that users can tell whether the document or page will be relevant to them.

For example:

• Writing for the web - help with making information on your internet site clear and easy to use.

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