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How to Link a Page in WordPress: A Comprehensive Guide

Linking pages in WordPress is the bedrock of good website navigation and a cornerstone of Search Engine Optimization (SEO). It’s how you guide visitors through your content, ensuring they can easily access relevant information and ultimately achieve their goals on your site. Mastering internal linking is crucial for user experience, and fortunately, WordPress makes it remarkably straightforward.

To link a page in WordPress, you essentially have three primary methods:

Using the Classic Editor or Block Editor (Gutenberg): Highlight the text you want to use as an anchor text (the clickable text). Click the “Insert/edit link” button (it looks like a chain link) in the toolbar. Paste the URL of the page you want to link to directly into the box or start typing the title of the page. WordPress will then provide a list of matching pages or posts for you to select. Click the desired page, and WordPress automatically inserts the correct URL. Finally, confirm by hitting “Apply” (usually represented by an arrow or checkmark).
Copying and Pasting the URL: Navigate to the page you wish to link to on your website. Copy the URL from the address bar of your browser. In the Classic or Block Editor, highlight your anchor text and click the “Insert/edit link” button. Paste the copied URL into the box. Apply the change to create the link. This method ensures you’re linking to the precise URL you want.
Using HTML Code (For Advanced Users): In the Text Editor (Classic Editor) or Code Editor (Block Editor), you can directly write the HTML code. The basic structure is <a href="YOUR_URL">ANCHOR TEXT</a>. Replace “YOUR_URL” with the actual URL of the page you want to link to, and replace “ANCHOR TEXT” with the clickable text you want to display. For example: <a href="https://www.example.com/about-us">Learn more about us</a>. This offers the most control but requires familiarity with HTML.

These are the fundamental ways to create links within your WordPress site. Now, let’s dive into some common questions and more advanced techniques to elevate your linking game.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 12 FAQs addressing common concerns and queries about linking pages effectively in WordPress.

1. What’s the difference between internal and external links?

Internal links connect pages within the same website. For instance, linking from your blog post about “WordPress Plugins” to your “Services” page where you offer WordPress plugin development. External links, on the other hand, connect to pages on other websites. Linking to the official WordPress.org site is an external link. Internal links are crucial for website navigation and SEO, while external links can add credibility and provide additional resources for your audience.

2. How do I make a link open in a new tab?

When creating a link using the Classic Editor or Block Editor, after inserting the URL, you’ll typically see an option or checkbox that says “Open in a new tab.” Select this option. If you’re using HTML code, you can add the target="_blank" attribute to your <a> tag. For example: <a href="https://www.example.com" target="_blank">Visit Example.com</a>. Opening external links in a new tab is a common practice to prevent users from navigating away from your site.

3. How do I edit or remove an existing link?

To edit a link, click on the linked text in the Classic Editor or Block Editor. The link editing options will appear, allowing you to change the URL or the anchor text. To remove a link, click on the linked text, and you should see an “Unlink” button (often represented by a broken chain link icon). Click this button to remove the link.

4. What is anchor text, and why is it important?

Anchor text is the visible, clickable text in a hyperlink. It’s crucial because it provides context to both users and search engines about the destination page. Use descriptive and relevant anchor text. Avoid generic phrases like “click here” or “read more.” Instead, use keywords that accurately reflect the content of the linked page. For example, instead of “Click here to learn about our services,” use “Learn more about our WordPress development services.”

5. How do I link to a specific section within a page (anchor link)?

To create an anchor link (also known as a jump link), you’ll need to add an ID attribute to the HTML element you want to link to on the destination page. For example: <h2>My Section</h2>. Then, in the linking page, use the ID preceded by a hash symbol (#) in your URL. For example: https://www.example.com/my-page#my-section. When a user clicks the link, the browser will scroll to the element with the corresponding ID on the destination page. Gutenberg Block Editor also allows adding an HTML anchor to blocks, making this easier.

6. Can I use plugins to manage and improve my internal linking?

Yes! Several WordPress plugins can assist with internal linking. Plugins like Rank Math, Yoast SEO, and Link Whisper offer features such as suggesting relevant internal links based on your content, automating the linking process, and identifying broken links. These plugins can save time and ensure a consistent internal linking strategy.

7. How do I fix broken links on my WordPress site?

Broken links are bad for user experience and SEO. You can use plugins like Broken Link Checker to automatically scan your website for broken links and notify you when they are found. Once identified, you can either edit the links to point to the correct URL or remove them entirely. Regularly checking for and fixing broken links is essential for maintaining a healthy website.

8. What is “nofollow” and “dofollow,” and when should I use them?

By default, all links are “dofollow,” meaning search engines will follow them and pass link equity (SEO value) to the linked page. A “nofollow” link tells search engines not to follow the link or pass link equity. You should use nofollow for links to untrusted websites, paid links (e.g., sponsored posts or advertisements), and user-generated content (e.g., comment links). To add the “nofollow” attribute to a link, use the rel="nofollow" attribute in the <a> tag: <a href="https://www.example.com" rel="nofollow">Visit Example.com</a>. Certain SEO plugins can help manage nofollow links.

9. How can I improve my internal linking strategy for SEO?

A solid internal linking strategy is crucial for SEO. Here’s how to improve it:

Use relevant anchor text: As mentioned before, use descriptive and keyword-rich anchor text.
Link to high-priority pages: Strategically link to your most important pages (e.g., product pages, services pages) from relevant content.
Create a link structure: Plan your site’s architecture and ensure a logical flow of links between pages.
Don’t overdo it: Avoid stuffing too many links into a single page. Focus on quality over quantity.
Link from relevant content: Ensure the linked page is related to the content on the linking page.

10. How do I create a link in the WordPress menu?

To add a link to your WordPress menu, go to Appearance > Menus in your WordPress dashboard. You can add existing pages, posts, or custom links to your menu. For custom links, enter the URL and the link text (the text that will appear in the menu). You can also rearrange the menu items to create a logical navigation structure.

11. Is it possible to track clicks on links in WordPress?

Yes, several methods can be used to track link clicks. Google Analytics is a powerful tool that allows you to track outbound link clicks using event tracking. You can also use plugins like Pretty Links or ThirstyAffiliates, which provide link cloaking and click tracking features. Tracking link clicks helps you understand how users interact with your website and which links are most effective.

12. What are some common mistakes to avoid when linking pages in WordPress?

Using generic anchor text: Avoid “click here” or “read more.”
Linking to irrelevant pages: Ensure the linked page is relevant to the context.
Creating broken links: Regularly check for and fix broken links.
Over-optimizing anchor text: Don’t stuff too many keywords into your anchor text.
Ignoring internal linking: Neglecting internal linking can hurt your SEO.
Linking only to external sites: Focus on internal links to improve website navigation and SEO.
Using too many nofollow links on internal pages: Internal links are important for SEO and should generally be dofollow.
Not considering user experience: Links should be easy to find and use.

By avoiding these common mistakes and implementing the strategies outlined above, you can significantly improve your website’s navigation, user experience, and SEO performance. Linking pages in WordPress might seem simple, but a strategic approach makes all the difference. Remember that consistency and relevance are key to effective linking!