Walk Through and Jump to Points in Video

Linking is very easy!

It’s important to know which types of links should be used where and how to link properly.

• First things first, remember to lock your page and open up the editor dialog box to begin linking.
• In your build you will be using internal links, media links, external links and email links.

 

• To create any kind of link you must highlight the text you wish to attach your link to.
• This highlighted text will be the anchor for your link and when you have linked successfully it will show up as burnt orange and underlined.

Internal links

• These are links to other pages, files, or images, that exist on Sitecore.
• When you create a link internally, even if the page, or file you link to is moved or modified, Sitecore will always remember to point to it.
• Your internal links are very dependable.
• When linking to an internal link you will use the globe with a chain button in the tools list at the top of the text editor window.

• To Link, first highlight the area of text you want to have the link attached to.
• Click the Globe with chain icon and a dialog box will open.
• Click the Internal Link tab in the dialog box.

• You will now see the Content Tree.
• Search through this Content Tree and find the page or folder you want to link to.
• Expand folders by clicking the little plus signs next to the folders until you find the page you would like to link to. 
• Click the page, and then click Link.
• The text in your editor where the link is attached should now be underlined and orange.
• You have created an internal link!

Document links

• To create a link to a document you will go through the same basic procedure.
• If you need a refresher on how to upload these files please see the media library video.
• For these files, first click the Globe with chain button.
• A dialog box will pop up but this time click the Media Items tab.

 

• You will now see the Media Tree in the dialog box.
• Find the media content or document you wish to link to.
• Select the media item and then click Link.
• The files you just linked to are also internal links so any changes that are made to those files will not affect Sitecore’s ability to find it.

External Links

• Obviously not all of the information you may want to link to will be available in the Content Tree or Media Library.
• In the case that you want to link to something that is not on the server, you will create external links.
• To do this you will need to highlight the content you wish to have the link connected to.
• Then you will go to the external links icon at the top of the page.
•  It looks like a page with a chain on it.

• This is the Hyperlink Manager. Point cursor to the Hyperlink Manager.
• Click this icon and a dialog box will prompt you to enter in a web address.

 

• You can either type it in without the http:// or you can cut and paste it from an address bar or list you may have created.
• Now look at the Target field in this dialog box.
• This field is where we can dictate how the link will open up in your browser.
• Click on the dropdown menu that starts with New Window.
• Usually with external links, we want them to open up in a new window so that people aren’t taken away from your page.
• However, if your external link points to somewhere outside of McCombs but on the UT website, then it would probably be better to choose Same Window instead.
• Make your appropriate choice and then click OK.

Email Links

• To create a link in your text that goes to an email just follow the same steps above.
• Highlight your text.
• Open the Hyperlink Manager.
• Click on the email tab in the pop up dialog box that appears.

• Enter the email address you would like to link to in the email field.
• You may enter a subject of the email in the subject field to organize your inbox so that all emails linked from that page have the same subject.
• Then click OK.

Breaking Links

• If you make a mistake and link to the wrong thing internally or externally or you attach the link to the wrong place in your text, don’t worry.
• This can easily be fixed.
• Just highlight the text where the link is attached and you will see a Globe icon with a broken link appear next to the other linking icons.

• Just click this icon and the link is no more!

FAQ

What kind of text should I be using to attach my links to?

Use key words. These are strong content related terms that you find in your text. Make sure your anchor text is also related to the content of the link, especially when linking internally. Don't use words like "here" as your text anchor, instead use words like "Business opportunities."

How many links should I have on my page?

For SEO purposes it is good to have links to pertinent information but you don't want to have so many links that your page is just a space to jump to other pages with better content. Be judicious and make sure your links are specifically related to your content on your page.

I linked to the wrong thing!! What do I do?

Just highlight the link in your text editor and select the icon of the globe with the broken link, it will remove the link and then you can put in your proper link.

My external link keeps showing up as an error when I click on it. Why?

The problem with external links is that sometimes they break and it is up to you to make sure anything you link to from your page is actually a functioning link. It's a very good idea to check your external links periodically.

I want to link to something in shared content, why doesn't it work?

It just doesn't. The format of shared content doesn't allow it to be linked to but you can always put it in the shared content field of your page build.

Best Practices

• Always check your external links before linking them to your page.
• Periodically check your page to make sure external links are still working.
• Locate the internally linked page in the content tree and preview it before you link to it. It may not be the page you think it is.
• Use keywords as anchor text for linking.
• Don't use too many links, your content should be the focus.
• Linking to specific blogs and content related web pages is a great way to look like an expert and also encourage backlinking.
• When using internal links, make sure you use the keywords associated with that page as anchor text, it will help that page's SEO.
• Anchor text for links should be concise. Full sentence anchor texts are too long, hurt SEO and look sloppy on your page.