Within page links and usability (Full Version)

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womble -> Within page links and usability (3/6/2006 11:20:00)

Not exactly accessibility, but an interesting article on the use of within-page links and usability nevertheless, including info on when within-page links are okay and linking to named anchors across pages.

quote:

On the Web, users have a clear mental model for a hypertext link: it should bring up a new page. Within-page links violate this model and thus cause confusion.


http://www.useit.com/alertbox/within_page_links.html



spitfire -> RE: Within page links and usability (3/6/2006 11:34:44)

quote:

mental model

That's sure going to bring certain people flocking to the thread.
There are a lot of goodies on dear old Jakob's site aren't there? I like his Top 10 Web Mistakes series [;)]



womble -> RE: Within page links and usability (3/6/2006 11:52:58)

quote:

There are a lot of goodies on dear old Jakob's site aren't there? I like his Top 10 Web Mistakes series

Keeps me amused for hours, that site (I'm easily pleased [:D]). Very useful stuff though and should be required reading for all aspiring web designers.



Nicole -> RE: Within page links and usability (3/6/2006 15:39:59)

Another good read, which reminds me I'll have to re-subscribe to the Alertbox now that I've changes email addresses.

On this topic though, I'm of the opinion that instead of having links scattered throughout the text, that having a sendence at the bottom of each section of text saying:

"For further information .........."
"Further reading: .........."
"See Point 1 below..."

Nicole



womble -> RE: Within page links and usability (3/7/2006 4:31:49)

Good point Nicole. That way you don't have links scattered all over the place and it's clear that the links are going to take you to somewhere else.



davidrandall -> RE: Within page links and usability (3/7/2006 8:30:12)

quote:

Within-page links violate this model and thus cause confusion.


I disagree in part.

I think it only causes confusion when the user is not warned that the link will move them down the page. As long as the link text clearly decribes the destination, I don't see a problem with within page links. A good example of this may be a Frequently Asked Questions page.

Links such as "Skip to content" or "back to top" are perfectly acceptable as it is made clear to the user where the link takes them.

My tuppence worth [:)]

Dave



spitfire -> RE: Within page links and usability (3/7/2006 9:08:43)


quote:

ORIGINAL: davidrandall
I think it only causes confusion when the user is not warned that the link will move them down the page. As long as the link text clearly decribes the destination, I don't see a problem with within page links. A good example of this may be a Frequently Asked Questions page.

I'm sure Jakob Neilsen would agree with you. From his article:
"To avoid confusing users, you must communicate exceptions to their expectations in advance..."

... "add a short statement that says something like: 'Clicking a link will scroll the page to the relevant section.' "

"Assuming you warn users, within-page links have three acceptable uses... alphabetised list, faq, toc."

He forgot all about "skip" and "back to top" but it is clear great minds think alike - erm... in part [;)]




davidrandall -> RE: Within page links and usability (3/7/2006 9:13:42)

Guess I should have read the article before posting [sm=icon_redface.gif]



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