All links must work.

Use consistent colors for links throughout the site. The general standard is blue for unclicked and purple or red for clicked, however users have become accustomed to alternate link colors. An important caveat is to NEVER reverse the standard, in other words do NOT use blue for clicked links and red or purple for unclicked.

When a menu option is clicked, that menu option must clearly stand out on the destination page (color change, remove border, not underlined, etc.).

Do NOT allow pages to link back to themselves.

Link only keywords in body of text, not an entire paragraph.

Clearly denote when a user has clicked on a link by changing its color.

Always use the same URL to refer to a given page.

Use descriptive link text. Instead of “to read the full story “Click Here” use “Read the full story”

Use internal linking in the body of site pages (links to related stories, etc.).

Open new browser windows when linking to pages off your site (including ads).

Provide links to other useful (non-competitive) websites - (i.e. Industry Associations, etc.).

Ensure that double-clicking a link will not cause problems.

Graphic links must also be available as text links. (see “General Principles - Do not use graphics for primary navigation” item above for the only situations in which it’s OK to use graphics as links)