 Readers Won't Quit Your Links if You Give Them a Reason to Stay!
In article writing, part of providing a great user experience is the fine art of linking. Here's the not-so-well-kept secret about linking: it has nothing to do with optimization.
When you consider linking, think of it as an ongoing conversation with your readers that takes them to the next stage of your discussion. They expect a link because it's a convenient open door that promises access to more information they want or need.
Part of opening that door to readers is ensuring there isn't anything on your website that would make them run for the hills. How you design your website and the content is entirely up to you. Simply make sure readers feel welcome and will want to stick around because of the great user experience you provide. This checklist will help.
5 Website Basics to Think BEFORE You Link Checklist
- It's working. Great content creates forward momentum. Test the links in your articles to ensure they work and they lead readers to active websites. Avoid impeding readers on "404 Page Not Found," "403 Forbidden Error," or "Under Construction" pages with a plan of action for pages you remove or update. For example, if you choose to remove a page on your website, provide a redirect to another relevant page on your website to maintain momentum without worrying about broken links.
- It's safe. You don't want readers exclaiming "I'm outta here!" Test your links to ensure they lead to active and safe websites that are free from and not in promotion of malware, viruses, hacks, or undesirable software. If you don't have control over this, contact your web host to get it fixed. We've got you covered on your published articles on EzineArticles.com with the Diagnostic Link Checker. We'll alert you if we detect any unsavory activity on your links, whether broken or hacked.
- It's informative. Readers want a website that over delivers informative content and benefits them. Channel Ezra Pound's battle cry: "Make it new!" Provide a substantial amount of original value with quality, informative content. That means more than a sign-up box, more than a short video, and more than a couple of lines of text with a link. (Many new affiliate marketers dabbling in content marketing tend to struggle with this. Don't dabble; commit. Use these tips to build a solid platform for your affiliate marketing strategy.)
- It's balanced. Columns of ad after ad or stacks of affiliate links are distracting. Look at your favorite content-driven websites and take note on the balance of their reader benefit-oriented content with their ad content. Consider the placement of the ads in respect to the content. Successful websites have found the necessary balance of content-to-ads by considering how the user engages with the page and provides a positive user experience based on visitor benefit, aesthetics, navigation, and flow. Review your website, make improvements, test, and review again until you find the right balance.
- It's relevant. Clicking on a link should not be left up to chance (unless that's the intention of the website, like StumpleUpon or Digg). Readers should feel properly introduced to the link prior to clicking. Use the content around the link and its anchor text to cue readers on where they'll be going. This will help continue the conversation by creating a smooth transition from article to link.
As you can see from the above checklist items, creating a great user experience on your website is really about meeting your reader's expectations and then providing them with the desire to stick around. To improve the overall design of your website, visit Part I for 7 tips to improve your website's appeal.
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