Hey, knuckleheads! Still, using “Click Here” as your anchor text? Well, it’s time for a slap of reality from BlakSheep Creative, your digital marketing maestros from Denham Springs, LA. We’re here to drag you out of the dark ages of the internet and show you why “Click Here” is a colossal waste of space. Spoiler alert: it’s not 1999 anymore, and using ‘Click Here’ is not just outdated; it’s detrimental to your user experience, accessibility, and SEO performance. So, let’s get with the program.

Is your website stuck in the 90s? Don’t let outdated SEO tactics like keyword stuffing and link farms drag you down. Read our guide to modern SEO and avoid these digital disasters.

Why “Click Here” is the Worst Anchor Text Ever: Ditch the Dinosaur Tactics and Elevate Your Links

Let’s delve into the issues with ‘Click Here‘. It’s like wearing outdated fashion to a tech convention—it’s out of touch and ineffective.

Lack of Information

“Click Here” is as informative as a screen door on a submarine. It provides no context about the link’s destination. Your visitors aren’t mind readers. They need clear instructions. Imagine this: someone’s browsing your site. What would catch their eye more – ‘Click Here’ or ‘Explore Our Award-Winning Services’? It’s the latter. ‘Click Here’ is a dead end. ‘Explore Our Award-Winning Services’ is an exclusive invitation. See the difference?

Poor User Experience (UX)

Newsflash: web users scan pages faster than a cheetah on Red Bull. When they see “Click Here,” they’ve gotta stop and figure out what the heck you’re talking about. It’s like giving them a map without any street names. But when you use something like “Download Our Free SEO Guide,” it’s like handing them a GPS straight to the goods. Your users want to get in, get the info, and get out. Don’t make them work for it.

Accessibility Issues

Accessibility isn’t optional, Einstein. For users relying on screen readers, “Click Here” is a nightmare straight out of Elm Street. Imagine hearing “Click Here” over and over without any context. It’s confusing and downright annoying. Descriptive anchor text like “Read Our Latest Blog Post on Digital Marketing Trends” actually tells them what they’re getting into. Help them out, would you?

SEO Problems

Search engines use anchor text to figure out what your linked page is about. “Click Here” tells Google absolutely nothing. Zilch. Nada. You’re wasting prime real estate. Let’s say you’re linking to an article about killer SEO strategies. Use “Effective SEO Strategies” as your anchor text. This way, you’re not just helping Google; you’re rolling out the red carpet for users looking for exactly that content.

Anchor text is more than a link—it’s an opportunity to connect readers to valuable, relevant content. Just like in marketing, your links need to tell a clear and compelling story. This principle is the foundation of Non-Fiction Marketing, where every element of communication builds trust and engagement. Dive into our full breakdown on Fiction vs. Non-Fiction Marketing to see how authenticity can transform your strategy.

Not Mobile-Friendly

We live in a mobile-first world, and “click” is tied to mouse usage. On mobile devices, folks are tapping, not clicking. Using “Click Here” is like telling a mobile user to flip open their nonexistent laptop. Instead, use phrases like “Tap to Explore Our Services.” It’s modern, relevant, and doesn’t make you look like a digital dinosaur.

Non-descriptive links like “here”, “click here”, “more”. Which is not only bad for SEO, it is also pretty detrimental for accessibility. And as you know, accessibility and great SEO are usually going hand-in-hand. https://t.co/xeoe5NPsw8

— Anne Bovelett (@Bovelett) August 23, 2023

Better Alternatives to “Click Here”

Ready to graduate from the remedial class? Good. Here are some alternatives that will make your anchor text as compelling as a two-for-one happy hour. And don’t worry; implementing these changes is as easy as a few clicks. You’ve got this.

Use Descriptive Text

Instead of the bland “Click Here to learn more about our products,” spice it up with “Discover Our Range of Digital Marketing Solutions.” Not only does this inform, but it also intrigues. Your visitors know precisely what they’re getting and are more likely to engage. It’s like waving a neon sign saying, “This is what you need!”

Incorporate Keywords

If your link is about “dog training tips,” use that as the anchor text. Keywords help search engines understand your content. So, “Explore Dog Training Tips” is much more helpful than the vague “Click Here.” Not only does this boost your SEO, but it also shows your audience that you’re serious about providing value. It’s like handing them a gold-plated invitation.

Keep it Concise

Being descriptive is key, but don’t write a novel. Your anchor text should be brief yet informative. Phrases like “Get Started with Our SEO Tools” or “Join Our Marketing Webinar” are concise and actionable. This balance ensures your users understand your links without feeling overwhelmed.

Enhance the User Experience

Clear, concise, and descriptive anchor text improves usability and enhances the overall user experience. By providing context, you guide users through your content seamlessly, making their journey on your website intuitive and enjoyable. When users find what they need effortlessly, they’re more likely to stick around and explore further.

Boost Accessibility

Descriptive anchor text is a game-changer for users relying on screen readers. Instead of a monotonous series of “Click Here” links, they get meaningful, navigable content. This commitment to accessibility can significantly broaden your audience’s reach and improve user satisfaction. And let’s be real—making your site accessible is not just good practice; it’s the right thing to do.

Improve SEO Performance

Every time you use a keyword-rich anchor text, you’re signaling to search engines about the relevance of your linked content. This not only helps your site rank for those keywords but also improves its overall SEO health. Descriptive anchor texts like “Learn About Advanced SEO Techniques” can make a notable difference, driving more organic traffic and boosting your site’s authority.

Conclusion

Ditching “Click Here” is a small yet impactful change that can vastly improve your website’s user experience, accessibility, and SEO performance. At BlakSheep Creative, we specialize in crafting digital strategies that pay attention to these details, ensuring your website is functional and optimized for success.

Elevate Your Digital Game Even Further: While enhancing your anchor text is a step in the right direction, the overarching quality of your SEO strategies plays a crucial role. Don’t miss our in-depth exploration, “The Sudden Decline in SEO Performance: Don’t Let This Be You,” to see what happens when SEO isn’t handled with expertise. Learn from real-world mistakes to solidify your approach.

So, next time you’re about to type “Click Here,” stop and think. Choose anchor text that adds value, informs your users, and boosts your SEO. By doing so, you’re not just improving your website’s performance, but you’re also empowering your users with clear directions and enhancing their overall experience. It’s time to elevate your digital presence with smarter, more effective anchor text. And for those agencies still clinging to “Click Here” – we see you, and it’s time to step up your game.

Ready to Leave “Click Here” in the Dust?

It’s time to stop embarrassing yourself with outdated anchor text. Don’t be like those other agencies stuck in the past. Elevate your digital marketing game with BlakSheep Creative. We’re here to optimize your links, boost your SEO, and improve your user experience. Fill out the form below or view our services to see how we can transform your website into a powerhouse! Get started now and leave the competition behind.

In this blog post, we’ll delve into a crucial aspect often overlooked: the proper use of link text. Discover why bidding farewell to the generic “Click Here” can unlock new opportunities for your website’s success.

1. Enhancing Accessibility for All Users

Creating an inclusive web experience is paramount in today’s digital landscape. Replacing “Click Here” with descriptive anchor text can make your website more accessible to visually impaired users. 

Screen readers rely on informative link text to provide context and help users navigate seamlessly. Embracing descriptive hyperlink text is crucial to inclusivity and ensuring that all users can fully engage with your content.

Look at the image.  Do you see how screen readers output links that say “click here?”  Does this provide any value to the user using a screen reader?

Let me help you… No, it doesn’t

2. Boosting Search Engine Visibility

SEO is a vital component of any successful website. Optimizing your content to rank higher in search engine results can significantly impact your online visibility and organic traffic. 

When search engines crawl your website, they analyze anchor text to understand the relevance and context of linked pages. Using descriptive link text provides search engines with valuable information, leading to improved SEO performance and better rankings.

3. Enhancing User Experience and Engagement

User experience plays a pivotal role in determining the success of your website. Clear and descriptive link text helps users understand the purpose and destination of a link before clicking on it. 

#EllyTips – Descriptive Links

When adding links to a document or website, use descriptive text that clearly describes the link's address, rather than using "Click here" or "More info".

This way, people using screen readers can navigate more easily!#EllyForA11y #A11y pic.twitter.com/l5RCtr1qWL

— Elly (@EllyOrg) August 29, 2021

By incorporating meaningful anchor text, such as “Learn about effective marketing strategies” or “Discover our latest product releases,” you empower users to make informed decisions and navigate your website more efficiently. Improved user experience increases engagement, longer browsing sessions, and higher conversion rates.

Now Take Action!

Now that you understand the impact of descriptive link text, it’s time to take your website’s success to the next level. 

At BlakSheep Creative, a leading digital marketing agency in Denham Springs, we specialize in crafting exceptional online experiences. Our team of web development and SEO experts is passionate about creating engaging websites that deliver outstanding results. 

By partnering with BlakSheep Creative, you’ll benefit from our expertise and dedication to helping businesses thrive online.

Whether you need a website redesign, SEO optimization, or a comprehensive digital marketing strategy, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. 

Don’t let bad links destroy your website’s potential. Contact BlakSheep Creative today and experience the transformative power of tailored web solutions for your business.

FAQs about Using “Click Here” for Link Text

Ready to Revolutionize Your Website?

Explore our comprehensive range of services designed to skyrocket your online success. From web design and development to SEO optimization and digital marketing strategies, our team at BlakSheep Creative has a proven track record of delivering exceptional results. 

Visit our Services page today and witness the transformative power of our expertise and dedication.

Making the Web Accessible to All

In the United States alone,  there are over 56 million people that have some form of disability. This number includes a wide range of disabilities, including deafness and blindness. Sadly, many small businesses do not prioritize the needs of those with disabilities when they design their website (one of the many things that get under our skin)..

If you want to ensure that your website is accessible to all users—including those with physical limitations such as the inability to see or hear—you’ll want to follow the guidelines set out in Section 50.508 of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0).

The WCAG includes nine requirements that must be followed so that your website can be deemed accessible, and we will discuss these and more in this article.

Defining Disability

Disability is defined as an individual’s physical or mental impairment that limits one or more aspects of their daily life. It can also be a health condition that has lasted six months or longer, and it may include disorders such as deafness and blindness.

This number includes a wide range of disabilities, including deafness and blindness. Sadly, many small businesses do not prioritize ensuring that their website is accessible to those with disabilities.

By overlooking those with disabilities, website owners are:

• Overlooking a large segment of the population
• Discouraging visitors to their website
• Negatively impacting customer engagement
• Removing a critical opportunity for service and sales.

Accessibility is imperative not just because it’s the right thing to do but also because failure to comply with accessibility standards can result in fines from regulatory bodies such as the U.S. Federal Communications Commission and other agencies.  

Plus, they open themselves up to lawsuits from disabled customers.

Accessibility Standards

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1) are part of a series of web accessibility guidelines published by the World Wide Web Consortium, which strives to bridge communication gaps through technology that is accessible for those who have impairments in their vision or hearing.

For example, if someone has difficulty using a mouse due to impairments such as arthritis, they can use keyboard shortcuts instead. 

The WCAG focuses on designing digital services and tools so everyone with any type of disability can easily access them without limitations when it comes to usability and understanding content because these people deserve equal opportunities like anyone else!

Why Web Accessibility is Important

The CDC reports that 61 million Americans are currently registered as disabled, with an average annual spending power of 490 billion dollars.

Globally, there are 1.3 billion people within the disabled community, with an annual spending power of 8 trillion dollars and growing due to population growth. 

Why Web Accessibility Must Be a Priority for Every Business

“Times are changing and online businesses have a greater responsibility than ever to prioritize their website accessibility,” Forbes.com recently wrote. “When companies essentially deny equal access because their website is incompatible with a screen reader – or has other accessibility issues, the companies also become vulnerable to lawsuits,”.

That responsibility extends to digital agencies and web development shops, whose expertise is crucial for helping businesses make informed decisions about their digital presence.

Brand Exposure & Awareness:  

Making your website is accessible means that you’re now reaching out to 20% more of the population that was not there before by default. It also means that more people will be talking about your company and attracted to your inclusive ethos.

Wouldn’t you want to buy a product or service from an ethically responsible business that cares about its customers?

How to Make Websites Accessible

At BlakSheep Creative, we fully understand what is required to make a website or web app fully accessible. Here are some of the main topics:

• Title tag – describe what the page is about
• Language – for screen readers
• Keyboard navigation – no mouse
• Text – size, contrast, and color
• Focus – keyboard tabbed page elements
• Forms – labels, tabindex, and focus
• Links – text and focus
• Headings – use and nesting
• Images – alt/description text
• Tables – descriptive captions
• Videos – close captions and subtitles
• Javascript – unobtrusive and non-js alternatives
• ARIA – interfacing with assistive technologies

Let’s start at the top, the highly important Title Tag

Let’s start at the top, where the real impact begins – the Title Tag. While browsers may not showcase the text in HTML title tags prominently on the webpage itself, they are the unsung heroes in the tab section of your browser. But their understated presence belies their crucial role in SEO.

Title tags are not just a ranking signal for search engines; they are also pivotal in making your website accessible and inclusive. A well-crafted title tag does more than improve your site’s visibility in search results; it ensures that your content reaches a broader audience, including those with impairments such as:

• Vision: Catering to individuals who are severely sight-impaired (blind), partially sighted, or color blind.
• Hearing: Making your content accessible to those with hearing impairments, enhancing their web experience.

Google pays special attention to the words within your HTML title tag, using them as indicators to determine the accessibility of your website. This means your title tag should be meticulously crafted, not just with SEO in mind but also with a deep understanding of how it aids in making your content reachable and understandable to everyone.

The art of perfecting the title tag extends beyond mere keyword insertion. It’s about balancing SEO optimization and creating an inclusive digital environment. To delve deeper into crafting title tags that resonate with both search engines and a diverse audience, explore our insightful guide, “Is Your Website Stuck in the Past? ‘Home’ in SERPs is No Laughing Matter.” Learn how to elevate your title tags from mere SEO tools to gateways of inclusivity and accessibility.

In digital marketing, a title tag is more than a technical requirement; it’s an opportunity to showcase your commitment to accessibility and user experience. Embrace it.

Language 

Declaring the language attribute on HTML elements enables a screen reader to read out text with the correct pronunciation.

Keyboard Navigation

To ensure accessibility, users must be able to navigate the site using their keyboard. Navigation and other critical interactive elements should also be tested thoroughly.

Add skip links directly into the code after <body> for audio browser users and those navigating with keyboards only so they can get straight to the main menu or content without having to go through all of the navigation options first.

Text – size contrast and color

The importance of text size and color cannot be understated. Make sure it’s big enough to read from far away, and not too bright or dark against its background. There are a few free online tools for checking contrast, but you may need an expert opinion if the outcome is unclear — check out these options below!

The important role that font size and color play in branding can’t be overstated — make sure your logos stand out with large typeface on backgrounds without overwhelming them, such as black outlined white letters on blue (see Google).

You might have also seen those cool commercials where people were wearing T-shirts with different colors behind them; this makes the wearer appear silhouetted so just one part of their shirt stands

Focus

Focus determines where keyboard events go on the page at any given moment. 

For instance, if you focus on a text input field and begin typing, the input field will receive your typed characters as well as anything copied from another site’s link or image. While it has focus, it’ll also be able to accept pasted material that was cut/copied elsewhere before being inserted into this webpage (by using CTRL+C).

The aforementioned can be tested by tabbing through all links and interactive elements of your website in question until everything becomes highlighted with a black border when active – which indicates they have been focused!

Forms

Making forms accessible can be tricky and special attention needs to be paid. 

• Can the user tab between fields logically with a keyboard? 
• Do all fields have labels that are close by, easily visible, and easy-to-read so they don’t needlessly obscure other content on the page? 
• Is there an adequate indication of what is being entered into each field for screen reader users or those using touchscreens without keyboards (e.g., smartphones)? 
• Does your web form work well when accessed via a mobile device such as iPhone or Android tablet?

Links

The link text should be descriptive and logical. For example: “download the case study,” not “Click here”. Does the link have a focus state? See Focus above.

Headings 

Headings are the backbone of any website’s content. They help guide users and search engines alike in understanding how a page is structured. The most important heading should be <h1>, with all other headings nested within it according to importance level (i.e., <h2> tags below an h1, etc.). 

This ensures that there will only ever be one main header on each webpage at once; so do not worry about repeating them!

Heading information helps both people navigating your site as well as those conducting searches via various platforms by helping shape their experience when scanning for relevant material or looking up specific topics associated with your business’s products or service offerings.

Images and the use of Alt-tags

The alt-tag or alternative (alt) HTML attribute has a long history, dating back to the days of 1200bps download speeds.

The first time it was used was to allow users in this era to access images without having them downloaded at all on their computer – just read out loud by the screen reader program they were using! 

Nowadays, it is mainly for accessibility and SEO purposes: Google uses these descriptions as keywords when indexing websites so that people find what they are looking for more easily via search engine results pages (SERPs). 

In HTML code an image’s alt text looks like this:

<img src=”image location” alt=”what you can expect from clicking through”>

Remember not only should your content be descriptive but also include helpful!

Use Descriptive Tags in any Tables

Captions and Scope attributes can be used to help anyone using a screen reader understand what data the table or section contains.

For example, by adding “scope” as shown in your tables, screen readers won’t simply rattle off a series of table cells without giving required context – for instance:

Use Subtitles (Closed Captions) for Videos and Podcasts / Audio Media

It has been shown that even if you are not concerned about making your site accessible, it is recommended to use subtitles for videos.

This will help users when they have the sound off or low in a location and also helps with SEO (Google can’t read video but transcripts) 

Using captions on all of your media elements will allow disabled people, as well as those who cannot see at all; plus, this may also aid in ranking among search engines.

Here are some great ways to make your site more accessible.

• First, always use subtitles for all videos and audio elements, including podcasts and music playlists.
• Second, don’t forget to include captions on photos as well!
• Finally, you can also check out the ADA (American Disabilities Act) website, which has a ton of resources that will help keep your content inclusive so everyone can enjoy it just like they would anything else online.

JavaScript

JavaScript is a language that can be programmed to alter and interact with web page content in dynamic or static ways.

For some information, like pop-ups when you mouse over an HTML element, JavaScript scripts must run inline, which means it will not work if there are any issues connecting to your internet connection.

Non-JavaScript alternatives should have been provided so users without this feature may still gain access to the intended material/functions of a webpage’s design by utilizing alternate methods such as using their browser search function and selecting from predefined options under “Controls.”

ARIA

Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) is a set of attributes that define ways to make web content and applications more accessible. 

It supplements HTML so interactions, widgets, form hints, and errors can be passed onto Assistive Technologies for people with disabilities when there isn’t another way. 

For example, ARIA enables navigation landmarks in HTML4 and JavaScript Widgets used by forms, such as live updates on the page or improvements to input fields’ accessibility, which allow you to type without going through menus.

Learn more about ARIA at https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/Accessibility/ARIA.

Web Accessibility Tools

The best way to check if your site is accessible is to use one of the many tools freely available on the Internet today.

Be aware that although these ‘automatic’ testing tools are useful, a level of manual checking and testing should always be done. Some of our favorites include:

Accessibility Insights for Web – This does full site checks and provides you with a human assessment to follow to manually test/review things that cannot be automated;

Web. dev- this updated version uses Lighthouse from Chrome Developer Tools so it can do page speed insights as well!

To further enhance your website’s accessibility and streamline your development process, consider using an HTML Cleaner. Learn more about the benefits of this essential tool in our detailed guide: Why HTML Cleaner is a Must-Have Tool for Web Developers.

Or here’s a third option. 

Get a Free Website Accessibility Audit

You can have us audit your website to check for things that need to be fixed. 

For free!

We use the same tools mentioned above (and more!), and we’ll give you a written report on what needs attention on your site to meet best practices guidelines and remove all accessibility barriers to provide a great user experience for all!