Principles

1. Understand context of use

2. Choose what to say

3. Slash everything else

4. Edit sentences

5. Put into logical order

6. Demolish walls of words

7. Choose links

8. Check consistency

9. Rest it then test it

7. Choose links

Users want to make the choice about whether to visit the link before clicking it.

Then they want the page that arrives to match their expectation from that choice.

Write meaningful links

"Click here" doesn't help anyone. Make sure that your user can decide whether or not to follow the link by reading the link in isolation.

Position important links higher

If the page is mostly about guiding you to your next choice of link, then make sure the important links are near the top of the page.

Tips and cautions

People who use screen readers often listen to the links without reading the surrounding text and at high speed. Make sure that the beginning of each link is distinctive and informative.

Where from?

Theofanos, M. F. and Redish, J. C., 2003
Guidelines for accessible and usable web sites: Observing users who work with screen readers Interactions, X (6), November-December, 38-51.

Summary of this article: Observing Users Who Listen to Web Sites