What is a footer link?
A footer link refers to links found in the footer section of a web page. The footer section is traditionally located at the bottom of web pages, in which links to other sections or pages of the website, social media profiles, terms of service, privacy policies and other relevant information are added.
In terms of Search Engine Optimization (SEO), footer links play a crucial role. They help search engines discern the structure of a website, identify its main pages and understand its content. However, it is important to employ these links judiciously – excessive or irrelevant links can be flagged by search engines as spam, leading to penalties.
Lastly, footer links enhance the overall design and layout of a website. By providing essential information in one compact and easily accessible space, they can help retain visitors and guide them through the website effortlessly, thus driving engagement and improving user experience.
Why is a footer link important?
Footer links offer multiple benefits. The first is improved navigation. For websites with a large amount of content, footer links can simplify navigation by providing shortcuts to key pages or sections. This can significantly enhance the user experience and reduce bounce rates.
Secondly, footer links are essential for SEO. Being an important aspect of internal linking strategy, they can improve a website’s ranking on search engines by boosting its crawlability. This is because these links guide search engine bots to all different pages, helping them understand the site’s structure. Furthermore, footer links can also transfer link equity to targeted pages, thereby enhancing their authority.
Lastly, footer links can help establish trust and transparency with visitors. By including links to pages such as ‘Privacy Policy’, ‘Terms of Service’, ‘Contact Us’, etc., businesses can make necessary information easily accessible and thus, foster trust among their users.
Types of footer links
The different types of footer links include internal links, external links, and social links. Internal links guide users to other pages on the same website, extending the user journey and improving page views. Internal links in footers typically point to important pages such as ‘About Us’, ‘Contact Us’, ‘Blog’, and ‘Product’ pages. These links contribute to the site’s SEO as they allow search engines to crawl these important pages more effectively.
External links, on the other hand, guide users to a different website. Normally, these are used to link to partner sites or external resources. When applied appropriately, they can bolster your site’s credibility.
Social links are another common type of footer link, which lead users to the company’s social media profiles. These links help generate social signals for SEO and provide an additional avenue for customers to engage with a company or brand.
Examples of footer links
Example 1: blog link
Many businesses include a link to their blog in the footer. This can drive traffic to high-quality content, promote engagement and boost SEO efforts. This type of link also encourages users to explore the website further, extending their stay and improving the site’s bounce rate.
Example 2: contact us link
A ‘Contact Us’ link is another common example of footer links. This link usually directs users to a page where they can find various ways to get in touch with the business. Having a ‘Contact Us’ link in the footer helps to increase transparency and trust with the user.
Example 3: social media links
Links to social media profiles are another popular example of footer links. Businesses often include icons that link to their Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other social platforms. These links can help to boost the company’s social media presence and foster better engagement with audiences.
Useful tips about footer link
Tip 1: avoid overstuffing
While it can be tempting to include as many links as possible in the footer, it’s best to avoid this practice. Overloading your footer with links can overwhelm users and weaken SEO value. Stick to the most important pages and maintain clarity and ease of use.
Tip 2: use clear and concise text
For your footer links to be effective, they need to be easily understood. Use straightforward, concise language for your link’s text. Avoid using jargon or technical language that could confuse your visitors.
Tip 3: regularly update your footer links
Ensure all your footer links are working and update them when necessary. Broken links can harm your SEO and frustrate users, so it’s important to regularly check and update your footer links to ensure they are all functioning correctly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, footer links are an essential tool for effective website navigation, improving SEO, and fostering trust with users. From internal links to social links, the types of footer links you use will significantly impact your website’s performance. Familiarizing yourself with these links and understanding their proper application can significantly enhance your website’s performance.
Furthermore, it’s crucial to avoid overstuffed footers, use clear language, and regularly update your footer links. By adhering to these best practices, you can make the most of these beneficial features and improve the overall performance of your website.
Footer links represent a valuable opportunity to guide users through your website and highlight the pages you deem as most important. So, understanding them and applying them well can make a difference between a website that performs and one that falls behind.
Frequently asked questions
Are too many footer links bad for SEO?
Yes, too many footer links can indeed be harmful. Having a ton of links stuffed into your footer can weaken link equity, and also appear spammy to both search engines and users. It’s important to use footer links sparingly and wisely, focusing on the most important pages or areas of your site.
How should you choose which links to include in the footer?
You should always consider your visitor’s needs and what pages are most important or useful to them. Common choices include ‘Contact Us’, ‘About Us’, ‘FAQs’, and personal information protection-related pages like ‘Privacy Policy’. But the specific choice depends on the individual site and its specific audience.
Can broken links hurt my website?
Yes, broken or non-functioning links in your footer can negatively impact the user experience, which in turn could harm your SEO ranking. Ensure all links are functioning correctly and lead to the expected pages or sites to avoid this.