18 February 2009

There’s a small article over at Business First of Louisville about a “New section of city Web site [that] helps people volunteer.” That’s what the whole article is about. Three paragraphs. There are two links. One link goes to other related articles about Louisville Metro government and the other link goes to related articles about the Louisville Zoo.

The only text that should be a link (above, highlighted in yellow) — the address of the website the article is about — is not a link. I am imagining a few decision-makers worried about people leaving their website. (!)

The truth of the matter is this. By not making that address a link, they have created an unnecessary and possibly frustrating step in the path they are directing their readers.

If the whole point of an article is to direct people elsewhere, by all means let them go, and make it easy. If you’re nice about it, I’m sure they’ll come back.