Purpose of Links

Links on your web pages serve some very useful purposes.  They provide additional information that may not fit or reside in the current page, though this information may still be very beneficial to your users.  You may link to nearly anything on your page to provide additional information or easier navigation for your users. However, it is your responsibility as a Web Steward to monitor and verify any links within your pages on a regular basis.  This includes verifying that the links are still valid and ensuring the linked content is up-to-date, informative, and relevant.

Descriptive Anchor Text

Anchor text is the visible, clickable text within your department's web pages.  The best and recommended use of anchor text is to be as descriptive as possible.  Use words that will make sense to the user if they are read on their own.  Following this method increases your page's ADA-compliance and search engine optimization.  Do keep in mind that there is a limit to how long these links should be.  Ideally they should be four to eight words in length.  

Alternate Tags and Tool Tips

Alternate tags (alt tags) are used to provide descriptions of links within a website.  They are required for a proper ADA-compliant website and also required for all of your department's pages before they can be publicly published.  Please ensure that all links have descriptive alt tags.

While editing your page's links you will need to enter the alt tag text into the Tool Tip box.

Listing Links

The default method for listing points and steps is to employ a numbered or bullet list.  However, both can become visually overwhelming when used with links.  The preferred method is to use the menu option within the Paragraph Style drop down.  This selection will apply spacing all around the list of links similar to the list below.

Internal Links

Using internal links on your department's web pages is an effective method for encouraging users to explore more of your department's section of the City of Tacoma's website as well as increasing search engine optimization.  

The preferred method for creating internal links is by using the PageLink tool located within the tool bar that is visible while editing pages.  Following this protocol ensures that the page will be linked properly.

All internal page links must open in the same window.  The only exception to this rule occurs when you are linking an internal document.  This is covered in the Document Links section.

External Links

Many websites that are external (i.e. outside of cityoftacoma.org) can provide a wealth of information for your web page's visitors.  There are some basic guidelines to follow for implementing external links.

Ensure that all external links open in a new window. When adding your link, there is a box that says 'Target'. From the dropdown menu, select the 'New Window' option. This is a subtle notification that users are visiting an external website.  It also allows them to keep your department's web page open without extra navigation.

All external links must adhere to the same alt text and descriptive anchor text guidelines as internal and document links.  All external links:

• Must be reviewed and approved by the Media and Communications Office
• Must add value to the page
• Must not contain offensive, unauthorized use of copyrighted, or objectionable material
• Must not contain malicious information in regards to the City
• Must not be identified as a malicious site that will harm a user’s computer or device
• Must not endorse a business, political agenda, union service, or religious belief
• Must not contain grossly inaccurate material
• Must not contain information that is in conflict with the City’s overall mission
• Must not contain pages that collect personal information from users unless prior consent is asked of and given by the user
• Must not contain barriers to users with disabilities
• Must be viewed and examined every six months to ensure the URL has not changed or information within does not violate any of the above guidelines

Document Links

There is a good possibility that your department's web pages require the use of documents to provide registration forms, additional information, or financial reports to the public.  The approved document format is Adobe's portable document format (PDF).  Creating a PDF can be accomplished with Adobe Acrobat Professional or Microsoft's Office programs.  Using Acrobat will allow you to create many interactive functions for PDFs.  If you do not require interactive features then you can create a PDF using Microsoft Office programs.  

All document links must adhere to the same alt text and descriptive anchor text guidelines as external and internal links. And like external links, the 'Target' field needs to be set to 'New Window'. 

Email Links

The preferable method for displaying an email link is to use the person's name, the word email by itself or in a descriptive sentence, or as the email address itself.  The latter is reserved only for those displayed in the main content area and not in the right sidebar where the text will wrap to the next line.

Questions

The Media and Communications Office is here to help. If at any point you need assistance with the content of your pages, feel free to contact Goldin Doles at (253) 573-2506 or via email.