Buttons and hyperlinks: on being a benevolent portal master

The modern writer sure has a lot to contend with. On top of the writing itself, you’ve got myriad nuances to consider like what platform am I writing on, to GIF or not to GIF, why are there so many microplastics building up in my organs, how come the icecaps are on fire, etc. But alas. The modern writer is a multitasker and on top of their writing duties, must also become a portal master and a user experience cartographer.

Here’s the deal. If at any point you offer the reader a button or a hyperlink (that is, a portal to another realm) you need to make it 100% clear what will happen when they click on it. It’s kind to do so. It’s also good internet etiquette and it makes for great user experience. 

Buttons and hyperlinks in digital writing are much the same as a juicy red button in a high-security military facility - when you press it, stuff happens. However, on websites, pressing the button is less likely to launch nukes or release mutated monkeys and more likely to take you to an “About us” page but either way, wouldn’t you want some fair warning?

Not clearly labelling your buttons on a website or your hyperlinks in an email is like having a door in your house labelled “Toilet” that actually contains a mandatory U2 concert. Not cool! Very weird! Also weird to label your home toilet but whatever, you get it.

The dos and don’t dos of buttons and hyperlinks:

Do: clearly indicate what you’re hyperlinking. For example, say “Draft of the proposal can be found here” and include a link to the mentioned proposal draft.

Do not: be vague about what’s behind the hyperlink. For example, don’t say “Here’s something.” and link to an illegal monkey wrestling event.

Do: write “Contact us” on a button that’s linked to a “Contact us” page

Do not: write “ET phone home?” on a button linked to a “Contact us” page because it’s 2022 and we do not have time for this shit.

Also do not: do this 👇

I’d like to confirm my cancellation, thank youuuuu.

TL;DR? If designing a button or a link that takes a user off the page, make it clear where the button or link takes them so they can choose whether to go or not. Do not use buttons or links to lure internet adventures into dark parts of the woods.