Unravelling the Web of Internal and External Link Connections
Two core categories of linking, internal and external links, play an extremely important role in sculpting user experience and interactions, bolstering SEO, and forging a fluid and interlinked virtual highway of content delivery.
Within the complex network of online digital content, linking functions as the binding force for connecting all the information and content everywhere into a literal World Wide Web, which we know as the Internet!
Not relevant but while writing this I had a moment of laughter. If you are familiar with British comedy, the above reminded me of a scene from The IT Crowd, “This Jen, is the Internet”. Now back to our topic!
Internal Linking: Building Bridges Within Your Domain
Enhancing Navigation:
Internal linking involves connecting different pages (CMS’, such as WordPress have posts too) within the same website. It’s like building pathways which allow users to seamlessly navigate between related content. By incorporating relevant internal links, you guide visitors to explore deeper into your site, enhancing their overall experience.
Establishing Content Hierarchy:
Internal links contribute to the hierarchical structure of your content. Using these along with anchor text (see description below) and strategic placement, you communicate the relative importance and relationships between different pages. Search engines use this information to understand the context and relevance of your content.
Best Practices for Internal Linking:
Relevance is Key:
Ensure that internal links are contextually relevant. Connect pages that share thematic similarities, guiding users on a logical journey through your content.
Avoid Over-Linking:
While internal linking is beneficial, avoid overloading pages with excessive links. Maintain a natural flow, prioritising user experience.
Use Descriptive Anchor Text:
Craft anchor text that provides users and search engines with a clear understanding of the linked content. Avoid generic phrases like “click here” in favour of descriptive terms.
Note:
Anchor text refers to the visible, clickable text in a hyperlink. It typically appears as underlined and/or different colour text within a web page, indicating that it can be clicked to navigate to another web page or resource, such as PDF document online. The anchor text provides users with an idea of the content they will encounter upon clicking the link and plays a significant role in Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) by providing context to search engines about the linked page’s content.
External Linking: Bridging to the Wider Web
Connecting to External Resources:
External links, contrary to internal links, involves linking to pages outside of your own domain. It’s a way of citing sources, providing additional information, and establishing connections with the broader online community. External links contribute to the credibility and authority of your content.
SEO and Authority Building:
Search engines view external links as endorsements or references to valuable content. When you link to reputable sources or receive inbound links from authoritative sites, it enhances your website’s credibility and can positively impact search engine rankings. Part of your SEO strategy should be Backlink Building – getting those external links to point to your content.
Best Practices for External Linking:
Choose Reputable Sources:
Link to reputable and reliable sources that add value to your content. This not only benefits your users but also establishes your site as a reliable hub of information.
Open in New Tabs Sparingly:
When linking to external sites, consider user experience. While it’s common to have external links open in new tabs, use this sparingly to avoid overwhelming users with multiple open tabs.
Check and Update Links:
Regularly check and update external links to ensure they remain active. Broken links can harm user experience and may negatively impact your site’s SEO.
Note:
When restructuring your website, it’s crucial to consider the impact on your links, especially those originating from external sources. As you make changes to your site’s structure or content, existing links may become broken, resulting in the dreaded “404 Not Found” error for users clicking on them.
To prevent this, implementing proper redirection strategies is essential. Utilising “307 Temporary Redirects” or “301 Permanent Redirects”, can seamlessly guide users from to temporary page locations or old, outdated URLs to their corresponding new destinations, or ensuring a smooth browsing experience.
Additionally, regularly monitoring your site’s backlinks and reaching out to webmasters to update them can help maintain the integrity of your link network and prevent potential SEO setbacks. By proactively managing your links during website restructuring, you can mitigate the risk of broken links and maintain the accessibility and credibility of your online presence.
Conclusion: Weaving a Seamless Web of Information
Internal and external links are integral components of a well-crafted web presence. As you construct your digital content, remember that these links serve as bridges, connecting your content with the wider web and guiding users on meaningful journeys through that content.
Whether building pathways within your domain or establishing connections beyond, the art of linking transforms your website into a dynamic and interconnected space, where information flows seamlessly, and the user experience is elevated.
Learn more about the Key Components of On-page SEO in these Articles:
- On-Page SEO: A Guide for Website Content and Blog Articles
- Title Tags and Meta Descriptions
- Content Snippets
- Header Tags (H1, H2, etc.)
- URL Structures
- Keyword Optimisation
- Image Alt Text
- Anchor Links
and to learn more about content creation, you can read about Evergreen Content and Pillar Method for Content Creation.