Is your website a came of “which link is a real link?” Do readers try to click on what they think is a link only to find that it is actually just underlined text?
If so PLEASE go and fix it now!
Over the past few weeks I have been coming across many sites that have been underlining text for emphasis (here is the real link to the last one). There are many other tools that you can use to add emphasis to words - bold and italics for example. When it comes to underlining words that is now an accepted web standard to indicate a hyperlink.
This is a simple thing that you can to increase the readability of your site, limit the confusion (and link hunt) of your readers and improve the standards compliance of your site.
QUESTION: What are the things that websites do to confuse you?
5 responses so far ↓
1 Pete Aldin
// Jun 14, 2008 at 9:38 am
When there’s just too much going on in the page. It’s not really confusing, but it prevents my eye from settling on any one thing in particular and makes me think/feel “This is all too hard”.
2 katie g
// Jun 14, 2008 at 4:54 pm
I agree, busy (clever) sites do my head in. My marketing friend said there should only be a maximum of 7 different elements on your webpage/document this includes photos, colours, bold, text, pictures. I am currently changing my website to reflect this.
3 Paula G
// Jun 18, 2008 at 6:05 am
I agree with Katie & Pete — too much information overwhelms me & I click away.
Another thing that confuses me are images especially button type images that appear to be clickable links but in fact aren’t.
4 Web Success Diva
// Jul 12, 2008 at 10:57 am
I agree completely, you’ll love my all new site, coming up. I’ll be sure to send over a link for review
Maria
(The “bad-girl-under-liner”)
5 Leah
// Jul 12, 2008 at 11:08 am
Hi Maria - thanks for stopping by
I wasn’t picking on you per say but your site was a great example of being full of great information as well as providing those underlined but not clickable words.
Will look forward to seeing you new site - with the same useful content as always.
Leave a Comment