Links In Text
Learn How To Build Them Correctly

Links in text connect visitors to other places on a web page, to other pages within your web site, to pages outside your site and to many other types of web and non-web content.

In addition to facilitating site navigation, they can be used to open an email program, download a file, play an audio clip or video or activate a web-based program.

And if you use keyword-rich verbiage when you name your text links, you will help search engines find your pages.

Creating Links In Text To Another Webpage

No matter what type of links in text you want to create, the basic syntax is the same. You open with the <a> tag then use an href= argument that provides the URL or path to the destination.

This is followed by the clickable link text (usually underlined and blue in color in a browser) and the </a> closing tag.

The full html text link code might look like this:

In a browser, it would look like this (not a real link):

Free Gas Coupons Here.

Using Absolute and Relative Paths

When linking to a webpage on another site, it is important to use an absolute path which contains the full URL as shown above (from http through .html).

Absolute paths can sometimes be long and awkward so when linking to another page within the same site, you can use what is called a relative path like this:

 <a href="gas.html">Free Gas Coupons Here.</a> 

Relative paths allow you to skip the whole first part of the html text link and just reference the filename (gas.html) of the destination page within the site.

Setting a Target Window

By default, links in text open the destination page in the same browser window replacing the previous page onscreen. Usually when you are linking your visitors to another page within your site, this is okay because they stay on your site.

If, however, you are linking them to another website, it is a good idea to open a new browser window when they click on the html text link. That way, your website is still open in the original window and they won't lose you.

It is easy to do, just add the argument target="_blank" to the <a> tag like this:

 <a href="http//:www.free-coupons.com/gas.html" target="_blank">Free Gas Coupons Here.</a> 

Hyperlink to a Specific Point on a Webpage

When you want to link your visitors to a specific point on a webpage, you use what are called anchor tags or anchor links (aka Quick Jump Links). These types of HTML text links are most useful in long documents with multiple sections because they help your visitors navigate quickly to exactly what they are looking for.

Click here to learn how to create an anchor tag.

Create Affiliate Links To Merchant Sites

A very popular way to monetize a website or blog is to become an affiliate for a merchant or series of merchants. There are several different types of affiliate programs, the most common being pay per sale programs.

With this type of affiliate program, a webmaster, or affiliate, presells a visitor on a merchant product persuading them to click on an affiliate link that they have embedded somewhere on their site or blog. As sales occur, commissions are earned.

Click here to learn how to create affiliate links to merchant sites. Also learn how to cloak affiliate links.

Read more about affiliate marketing and gain access to Free Affiliate Videos here.

Create Image Links

Rather than create simple links in text, you may want to create image links. Any time an image is used on a webpage, it draws your visitor's attention and adds interest to your page.

Visit our How To Create Image Links webpage to learn more.