In February, our tip focused on why and how to include links in your marketing. This month, we’re digging deeper into links and how you can get the most out of them.
First, let’s talk about the difference between a link and a URL. To put it simply, a URL is the unique address that identifies a web page, whereas a link refers to a clickable user interface that will take you to a specific location.
For example, if you click a button in a Venango Chamber email that says “register here,” you are brought to www.venangochamber.org/events. The clickable button is the link, and www.venangochamber.org/events is the URL.
You can include a URL in printed marketing, like flyers or business cards, but these are not “links.” Since it’s on physical paper, you can’t click these like you would on a webpage or email.
It can get confusing, but everyday users just need to know why and how to use links most effectively. Here are a few tips for doing this:
Include the right amount: It’s great to include links, but too many can be overwhelming. Decide what’s most important and include a link every so often. If you have many resources to link to, consider creating a list of links for people to choose from, instead of linking throughout a page or email.
Make them stand out: If you want people to click a link, make sure it is noticeable. It may be a different color, underlined, or bold.
Encourage clicks: Sometimes people need a little encouragement to click on a link. Include a call-to-action, such as “learn more here,” or let readers know when links are included, such as a line at the top of a page that says “ on click images to learn more about that person.”
Check them often: URLs can change, causing anything that links to them to no longer work. Make sure to check that your links still work every once in a while. This is especially important for pages on your website.
Where can you include links or make them stand out better? Next time you send an email, post on social media, or add a web page, consider how you can include effective links.
Search “tech tip” at venangochamber.org for part 1 of this article.
This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s March 2021 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.