The Best Web Marketing Checklist for Links and Buttons

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The Best Web Marketing Checklist for Links and Buttons

Article Written By: Stoney deGeyter

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.

Stoney deGeyter is president of Pole Position Marketing (www.PolePositionMarketing.com), a search engine optimization / marketing firm providing SEO and website marketing services since 1998. Stoney is also a part-time instructor at Truckee Meadows Community College, as well as a moderator in the Small Business Ideas Forum. He is the author of his E-Marketing Performance eBook and contributes daily to the E-Marketing Performance (www.eMarketingPerformance.com) marketing blog.