Dos and Don'ts of Linking
When using hyperlinks on Boston.gov there are a few things to keep in mind.
DON'T
DON'T leave raw URLs on the website (ex: www.boston.gov), this includes raw short links like boston.gov/digital.
DON'T use "Click here" type language, this becomes confusing for those using accessibility tools like screen readers because it doesn't contextualize the link with descriptive hyperlinked text.
DON'T overwhelm the page with too many button links. Over using button links makes them lose their impact. Users are less likely to click or understand which buttons are important for them. If you find yourself adding multiple button links (more than 2-3) consider switching to one of the more link focused components like a Grid of Links or a Link List.
DO
DO hyperlink text within your content.
For example: Learn more about what's going on in the City on our events calendar.
DO contextualize your links! All hyperlinked text should be contextualized, rather than using "Click here for more information about editing the website" a contextualized link would look like "Learn more about editing the website on our knowledge base". Contextualized links provide direct descriptions of where a hyperlink is going to direct the user, and creates a more accessible framework for those using accessibility tools, like screen readers.
DO use button links strategically to call attention to actionable items or high priority links. Again, your page should never have more than 2-3 button links.
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