Why Is Internal Linking Important?

Definitions:

• In-text hyperlinks - Embedded links within the body of the text to relevant pages using anchor text
• Anchor text - Anchor text refers to the clickable text within a hyperlink that provides a relevant description of the destination page it links to

Hierarchy:

When deciding what text to hyperlink, destination page importance should be considered in the following order:

• Offers - we want users to quickly and easily find the deals that will convert them into customers
• Service / product pages - we want users to easily find other related services on the site
• Utility pages - this will help users find relevant reviews, images, and other elements that might be of interest
• About pages - these links will help users find information about the business and its offerings
  

Challenges of In-Text Hyperlinks on Mobile Devices:

There are some disadvantages to in-text hyperlinks, primarily on mobile devices. These disadvantages can negatively affect the user’s experience, so it is important to keep them in mind when determining where to create hyperlinks.

• Small screen size: Mobile screens are smaller, making it harder to click accurately on in-text hyperlinks.
• Fat finger problem: Users may accidentally tap the wrong link due to the limited precision of touchscreens.
• Readability and distraction: In-text hyperlinks can disrupt the flow and readability of the text, distracting users from the main content.
• Slow loading times: Clicking on in-text hyperlinks may lead to longer loading times, especially on mobile devices with slower connections.
• Accidental activation of links: Users may unintentionally activate in-text hyperlinks while scrolling or navigating, resulting in unintended page visits.

To mitigate these drawbacks, ensure proper spacing and avoid excessive hyperlinks. Quality and relevance are more important than quantity. Be cautious not to overwhelm users with too many links.

Finding opportunities to add in-text hyperlinks to your copy requires a strategic approach. Here's a step-by-step process to help you:

1. Review your content: Thoroughly review your website's content, including different pages like the homepage, product/services pages, about us page, FAQ, gallery, finance, etc. Look for mentions of topics that could benefit from internal linking, including:

• Mentions of offers
• Mentions of warranties
• Mentions of related services and products
• Mentions of biographical information, if expanded upon elsewhere

2. Use mobile view to place the links: This will help ensure that links are not crowded and that mobile users have an optimal experience when interacting with the site.

3. One link per topic: Only add one in-text hyperlink for each relevant topic per page. You don't need multiple links for the same topic within your copy.

4. One link per text block: to avoid cluttered site copy, particularly in mobile view, it is important to place only one link per text block (paragraph, bulleted list, or long sentences that are their own paragraph). This will help mitigate some of the issues that might arise as discussed in the Disadvantages section below.

5. Try to place important links above the fold: If possible, link to offers and service pages close to the top of the page. This way, users won’t have to scroll very far before they reach links that might be relevant to their needs.

Remember, the primary goal of internal linking is to enhance user experience and help search engines understand the relevance and hierarchy of your website content. By following these best practices, you can create a well-optimized internal linking strategy that benefits both your users and your SEO efforts.