This is a continuation of a series of website marketing checklists. Check out all Web Marketing Checklists in this series.

What this is about: This list covers a few aspects of textual links and call-to-action buttons, and how they should be implemented on your website pages.

Why this is important: Links and calls to action are a great way to allow visitors to navigate from page to page, finding the information they feel is important to helping them make the purchase decision. Without these calls to action many visitors will simply not know what they are expected to do next.

What to look for:

  • Limit the number of links on a page: This varies from page to page, but there is a threshold that, once crossed, creates too many decisions and renders the page ineffective.
  • Avoid small buttons and tiny text for links: Text links should not be smaller than standard text and call to action buttons should stand out significantly.
  • Leave space between links and buttons: Don't crowd your calls to action. Make sure there is enough space around them to draw the eye.
  • Avoid using images as the only link: If you use image calls to action be sure to accompany that with a textual call to action nearby as well.
  • Link important commands: If there is somethign the visitor is expected to do then say so and link it to make it obvious and easy.
  • Underline all links: Links in body text areas should always be underlined. People expect it, so do it.
  • Accurately reflects the page it refers: Every link should give the visitor a basic understanding what information they'll find once they click the link.

Did I miss anything? Add to this list with your comments below.




Comments (2)

Stoney - what a fantastic concise and useful article. I have clients whom I will make this mandatroy reading.

Eric

@ Eric, thanks Eric, I'm glad you found it useful. This one of the shorter checklists in my series but sometimes short is sweet!

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About the Author

Stoney deGeyter founded Pole Position Marketing in 1998 working from a home office and has since turned it into a leading search engine marketing business with a small team of seasoned Reno SEO and marketing experts. Stoney pioneered the concept of Destination Search Engine Marketing which is the driving philosophy on how Pole Position marketing helps their clients expand their online presence and improve online conversion rates.

Stoney is a moderator at the Small Business Ideas Forum, a regular contributor to the Search Engine Guide blog and has a monthly column on Search Engine Land. He posts his SEO and business insights at the E-Marketing Performance blog where you can also find his e-books: E-Marketing Performance: Effective Strategies for Building, Optimizing and Marketing your Website Online and Keyword Research and Selection: The Definitive Guide to Gathering, Sorting and Organizing your Keywords into a High-Performance SEO Campaign.

Stoney is married with five wonderful children and, if away from the computer long enough, enjoys riding his dirt bike, watching DVDs, reading books and spending quality and quantity time with the family.

Stoney deGeyter founded Pole Position Marketing in 1998 working from a home office and has since turned it into a leading search engine marketing business with a small team of seasoned Reno SEO and marketing experts. Stoney pioneered the concept of Destination Search Engine Marketing which is the driving philosophy on how Pole Position marketing helps their clients expand their online presence and improve online conversion rates.

Stoney is a moderator at the Small Business Ideas Forum, a regular contributor to the Search Engine Guide blog and has a monthly column on Search Engine Land. He posts his SEO and business insights at the E-Marketing Performance blog where you can also find his e-books: E-Marketing Performance: Effective Strategies for Building, Optimizing and Marketing your Website Online and Keyword Research and Selection: The Definitive Guide to Gathering, Sorting and Organizing your Keywords into a High-Performance SEO Campaign.

Stoney is married with five wonderful children and, if away from the computer long enough, enjoys riding his dirt bike, watching DVDs, reading books and spending quality and quantity time with the family.