Links

Descriptive links are important — readers want to know where they’re going if they click something.

We use the title of the page we’re linking to — or we describe what’s on the page if the title doesn’t give the user enough context.

We don’t:

• put URLs directly into text, instead we use hyperlinks
• use ‘click here’, ‘see more’ or ‘more information’ on their own as our hyperlink text — we make sure the link text tells the user what to expect on the new page.

We do:

• put links where they’re useful – directly below the sentence or list they refer to
• use the ‘List of Files’ block if linking to more than one document.

We include the name of the page and the website it’s on.

We use less descriptive link text if linking to internal pages – we don’t need to include the name of the website, but we try to include the name of the page.

Example:

Find out more about Best Start on the IRD website

Read Minister Martin’s press release announcement on the Beehive website

Example – same website:

Find out more about placing your child for adoption

We use the full name of the address for the hyperlink text.

Example:

Email enquiries@ot.govt.nz

We include the full number in the text. The CMS will automatically add a hyperlink.

Example:

Talk to us on 0508 326 459 if you're thinking about placing your child for adoption.

When we add a link using the ALOT block, information about the file’s format and size will automatically be displayed so users know what they're clicking on.

When we link to files or downloads in text, we use the title of the document to create the link text.

If linking to a document on another website:

• We usually link to the page it is on to provide the context.
• If the page on the website has more than one download link, we can link directly to the file (include file type and size).