Links

When creating links to new pages, internal or external, it is important to format them correctly. The most important thing to consider is the link text. Useful, informative text should be used for your links, not just one word of text, or words that don't suitably describe the link purpose. Ensuring that the link text makes sense when read out of context is an indicator of good link text quality:

• Don't say: Find out more about our policy on dog fouling
• Do say: Details are available regarding our policy on dog fouling

Web addresses as link text

Do not use web addresses as link text. Instead of creating a link with the text www.salford.gov.uk, use the website name: Salford City Council.

Duplicate link text

The accessibility guidelines which we must comply with state that links with the same text cannot go to different pages.

This means that two links with text of "Jobs" located on the same page must not link to http://www.salford.gov.uk/jobs and http://www.salford.gov.uk/morejobs - if such a link is needed, change your link text to something more appropriate.

This also includes the links in the main site navigation bar, left side navigation list, and any Quick links or See also items.

Our most recent accessibility check highlighted thousands of instances where this guideline has not been complied with, so this is a serious issue. See our accessibility page for further information.

Lists of links

When lists of links are required, such as for a list of pages that a relevant to the page currently visited, they must be created using a bulleted list. This will assist our accessibility compliance, as "adjecent links" not using a list can be difficult for assistive technology users to use.

This page was last updated on 12 July 2011