Always write descriptive and meaningful hyperlinks and use a URL shortener if required.
Why this matters...
Use links
Don’t just type out a full web or email address. If you need to send users to another page or email, use a link. When a user clicks a link, it will take them to the relevant page or open their email application.
Use descriptive links
Screenreaders can navigate the links across a document or website. To support visually impaired users, links must be meaningful – this means avoiding the use of ‘click here’ or other generic labels.
Shorten links if printing
Long links to specific pages on a website can be difficult for users to type out or remember. Always use a URL shortener if you need to print a link. You may want to consider using a QR code as well.
Whether looking at a single website or the entirety of the internet, the importance of inter-linking is easy to see. It allows a user to easier navigate between and within pages. The use of such links, however, is often forgotten when it comes to emails, documents and other digital media. Many users make the mistake of simply pasting entire web addresses (URLs). This requires a users to manually copy and paste a link to use it. It also does not inform them of what the link is and why they may want to access it. This is why meaningful hyperlinks are important. Not only do these help all users to navigate within and across resources, they provide a much better experience for screenreader users.