Internal links that help readers navigate

Published 6 October 2026 · CANSEO editorial

Connect related pages with clear links and review the journey from discovery to action.

Design routes around tasks

Start with a page that answers a broad question, then offer links to the details a reader is likely to need next. A curriculum overview can lead to subject combinations, eligibility, and admissions steps. The links should be useful even if search engines did not exist.

Write link text that identifies the destination. “Review the admissions document checklist” communicates more than repeated “click here” links. Keep wording natural and accessible.

Look for isolated pages

Maintain a list of important URLs and note where each can be reached from. A page listed only in a sitemap is easy for visitors to miss. Add a relevant navigation or contextual link instead of filling the footer with dozens of unrelated destinations.

When adding a new article, revisit older related pages. Add links only where the new material genuinely answers a next question. This keeps the library connected as it grows.

Audit links after changes

A changed filename can break links across a static site. Search the source files for the old filename and update each appropriate reference. If the URL has already been public, configure a server redirect so saved links keep working.

Distinguish broken destinations from pages that are technically available but no longer relevant. A link to last year’s application dates may work perfectly while misleading a reader.

Keep the journey short

Test the path on a phone with a fresh visitor. Ask them to find a key answer and take the next step. Record the number of decisions and any confusion, rather than relying only on a theoretical click-depth target.

Use breadcrumbs or clear return links when a library becomes large. For a small site, a straightforward guide index and consistent main navigation may be enough.