Everything you need to know about links or hyperlinks in HTML

Links or hyperlinks are fundamental elements in web development, since they allow navigation between different pages or sections of a site. In this article, we will teach you everything you need to know about HTML links and how to use them effectively to improve user experience and optimize your website.

What is a link or hyperlink in HTML?

A link or hyperlink in HTML is an element that allows the user to access another resource on the web, be it another web page, a file, an image, a video, among others. Links are created through the use of the "a" (anchor) element and are defined through the "href" (hypertext reference) attribute, which specifies the address of the resource to be accessed.

For example, to create a link to the NelkoDev home page, we would use the following code:

<a href="https://nelkodev.com/en/">NelkoDev</a>

This link would display the text "NelkoDev" and upon clicking on it, the user would be redirected to the main page of our website.

How to create internal links in HTML?

Internal links in HTML are those that allow you to navigate within the same website, linking different sections or pages to each other. To create an internal link, you need to use a relative address instead of an absolute URL.

Let's say you have a page called "services.html" within your website and you want to create a link to that page from your home page. The HTML code to do it would be the following:

<a href="/en/servicios.html/">Services</a>

If you place it on your home page and a user clicks on the "Services" link, they will be redirected to the "services.html" page within your own website.

What is an anchor in HTML?

An HTML anchor is a special type of link that allows you to point to a specific section within a page. Anchors are created by using the "a" element with the "name" or "id" attribute in place of the URL.

For example, if you have a page called "contact.html" and you want the page to automatically scroll to a section containing the contact form when you click a link, you can use the following code:

<a href="/en/contacto.html/#formulario">Go to contact form</a>

<h2 id="formulario">Contact Form</h2>
<!-- Aquí va el formulario de contacto -->

In this case, when you click on the "Go to contact form" link, the page would automatically scroll to the section where the form is located.

How to optimize your links in HTML?

To optimize your links in HTML, it is important to follow some good practices:

• Use descriptive text for your links. Instead of using phrases like "Click here," it's better to use text that clearly indicates where the link leads, such as "See more information about our services."
• Use relevant keywords in your links. This helps both search engines and users better understand the topic of the link and the resource it leads to.
• Make sure your links are easily distinguishable from the rest of the text. Use styles such as colors, underlines, or bold to highlight links and make them more visible.
• Check that your links are up to date and working correctly. Periodically check your links to make sure there are no broken links or incorrect addresses.

Conclusion

Links or hyperlinks are fundamental elements in HTML that allow navigation between different pages and sections of a website. Learning to use them correctly is essential to improve the user experience and optimize your website. Remember to use descriptive text, relevant keywords and check the functionality of your links regularly. Take full advantage of the power of HTML links!

Frequently asked questions

1. What is the difference between an internal link and an external link?

An internal link points to a page or section within the same website, while an external link points to a different page or website.

2. Can I create a link that opens in a new tab?

Yes, to do this you need to add the "target" attribute to your "a" tag and set it to "_blank".

3. Is the "alt" attribute important in image links?

Yes, the "alt" attribute provides alternative text to display when an image fails to load. This is useful for users who cannot see images and to improve the accessibility of your website.

4. Can I link to a specific file, such as a PDF document or image file?

Yes, you can link to specific files using HTML links. Make sure you use the correct file path or address in the "href" attribute.

5. How many links should I have on a page?

There is no specific number of links recommended for a page. The important thing is that the links are relevant, useful and well organized so that users can easily navigate your website.