For the small biz owner juggling twelve hats, three tabs, and at least one existential crisis.
Your website might look pretty – but if your links aren’t behaving, you could be quietly losing visitors.
Let’s talk about a sneaky little detail that’s easy to overlook when you’re running your own website: links. Not the clunky chains at the gym – I’m talking about those clickable bits of text on your site that send people to other pages.
There are two main types:
- Internal links = staying on your site
- External links = off to someone else’s site
If that sounds a bit “meh,” hang tight. Because getting this right makes a big difference in how people experience your website – and whether they stick around long enough to hit that “Buy Now” or “Book a Call” button.
Internal Links: Like a Shop Floor Plan
Internal links are links between your own pages. Think of them like little arrows guiding visitors through your shop.
Examples:
- From your homepage to your services page
- From a blog post to your contact form
- From your FAQ to your About page
They help people explore your site (good), help Google map out your content (great for SEO), and keep folks engaged with what you offer (aka, more likely to stick around and buy – very good).
External Links: Sending People Elsewhere
External links are when you send visitors off to another website. Maybe you’re linking to a tool you recommend, a helpful blog post, or something official like government advice or industry stats.
Now here’s the trap:
If that external link opens in the same tab, you’ve just walked your visitor out the front door and locked it behind them. Poof – there goes your potential customer.
Why External Links Should Always Open in a New Tab
You want to be helpful, not ghosted. Opening external links in a new tab or window means:
- Your site stays open and easy to come back to
- Visitors can check out the extra info without falling into a scroll-hole
- You look like you’ve got your digital act together (because you do)
It’s a small thing, but a smart one. And smart websites build trust.
Wait, How Do I Do That?
If you’re adding links through WordPress (or most website builders), look for the checkbox that says “Open in new tab.” Tick it for any link that points to another website.
Internal links? Let those open as normal. They’re just meandering around your digital garden.
Quick Recap (Because You’re Busy):
Internal links = stay on your site. Great for SEO and user flow.
External links = go to other sites. Always open in a new tab so your visitors don’t accidentally peace out.
Want a quick peek at your site to hunt down rogue links and other sneaky gremlins? That’s literally what I do.