No 'Pop up' or new windows

Some web sites cause a pop up window (often used for adverts) to appear or create hyperlinks that cause a new browser window to be opened when a specific hyperlink is accessed. This is not permitted. When creating hyperlinks to other web pages - either within Hantsweb, Hantsnet pages or on an external web site - the hyperlink must never open a new browser window. This breaks the functionality of the back button, confuses visitors and can be especially troublesome for screen readers.

Links must have a standard appearance

In the web page content (main body) links must use the standard corporate default settings for colour and appearance. If using a sidebar as part of web page navigation you may provide more dynamic links.  These links must be recognisable as links and readable before using them e.g. before you place your mouse on them. They must work if scripting is switched off. The style and format must be consistent throughout your collection.

Link text must make sense when taken out of context

Users tend to scan web pages so use link text that is clear, easy to read, relevant and concise.

Using raw URLs or ‘click here’ or 'more' as link text, or any similar words or phrases (here, read more, further details, etc) is one of the most common examples of bad practice. A user should click on a link because that is where they want to go, not to find out where it goes.

A good piece of link text is one that is meaningful when taken out of context. For example:

Example A

• The BBC homepage is always up to date. To look at it click here.
• Hantsweb is the Council’s public facing website, click here.
• Click here to contact the Web Services Team.

Example B

• The BBC homepage is always up to date.
• Hantsweb is the Council’s public facing website.
• Contact the Web Services Team.

When people read a webpage they will instinctively scan for the links in the page. Example B makes it very easy to identify quickly where the links will take you. Example A forces you to read the entire sentence before you know where you are going.

Screen readers have the ability to present the page simply as a series of links, so that the navigation is read separately from the content of the page.. If text links on your page use phrases such as 'click here', 'full story' and 'read more' they tell the user nothing about the content behind.

Within a page the same text must never be used for links to different pages.

Email mailto links should be formatted as follows: firstname.surname@hants.gov.uk. This ensures that if users do not have their email software configured with their browser they have the opportunity to cut and paste the address into another package.  Also, when a page is printed, the email address will appear in full.

Search Engines

Search engines pay a lot of attention to links.  The text on links tells users and search engines very useful information about the linked to URL and also provides information about the scope and nature of

the website through building a picture of related information.

Links must not use the same link text for different link destinations

The same link text cannot be used for different link destinations. For example: Contact us can only go to one destination.  In Hantsweb's example to the corporate contact us page.  On your site you cannot use contact us for your team's page as this has already be used on the page.  You can instead use contacts or contact the team.

No dead ends

All pages must provide a route out - there should be no dead ends.

You must provide a link back to your collection's home page. This helps the user move around the information in Hantsweb in a logical and structured way preventing them getting 'lost'. It is also essential if your page is found through a search engine or a link from another site. Doing anything to (deliberately or otherwise) disable the back button of the visitor's browser is not permitted.

Broken links

A broken link is when the site you are pointing to either changes address or no longer exists. Links have to be kept up to date and must be reviewed regularly. Also, be aware, if you are deleting a page, that there may be many links pointing to your web page. Please let the Hantsweb Manager know if you are removing a web page.

Do not link to Hantsnet pages (intranet) from Hantsweb (internet)

Caution - A link from a Hantsweb page to a Hantsnet page will show a log in screen to the HPA page and all external visitors to Hantsweb will be unable to access these pages.

Do not link to the I:Drive, Hantsfile or Sharepoint

Caution - You should never link to the I:drive, Hantsfile or Sharepoint on Hantsweb pages. If you want to link to a document you must upload it to your website first.