Make Clickable Links Obvious

Always make text and graphic hyperlinks self-evident.

Text Links
It is a standard convention that blue underlined text represents a hyperlink that can be clicked. So why do Web site designers insist on making text links not underlined and/or in some other color?

Avoid this temptation whenever possible! Stick with blue underlined text for hyperlinks, because it works, and everyone understands it. You should also use a different color when a text link is activated.

Visited Link Colors
Don't forget to use a different color for visited text links. The alternative visited link color informs users which pages they have already visited. Don't confuse users by using the same color for unvisited and visited links.

Image Links
Make clickable graphics, such as "Search" buttons, obvious. Design clickable buttons with depth, so it looks like a button that can be pushed. Also add alternative text to graphics to help clarify the meaning the hyperlinks function.

Retaining the standard blue outline (by not using border=0) around a graphic is another option. This is the more traditional method.

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