Creating Clickable Links in Your Emails

Have you ever received an email that contained a URL (web address) but nothing happened when you clicked on it? When you click a link it should automatically launch your browser and go to the site. But if that doesn't happen, you have to copy and paste the URL into your browser. What a hassle... Most people won't go to the trouble. So if you're sending your customers a link to a special coupon or article on your website, make sure they're going to be able to get to it easily!

To make a link clickable, you have to format it properly. Different email programs use different formats.

Before I tell you how to format your links for each program, check to see that your outgoing mail is in Plain Text format. If you're using Outlook, it will show at the top. If you use Outlook Express, click Format and then select Plain Text if it isn't already checked.

Netscape:

In Netscape mail, the link is only clickable if the URL includes http://.

Outlook/Outlook Express:

Outlook is a little more forgiving. The URL only has to start http:// or www. to be a clickable link.

America Online:

Links have to be formatted into html code. Don't worry, it's easy even if you don't know html. Here's how:

1. Type <a href=" to start the link. (you'll find the > and < on the comma and period keys)

2. Type the URL starting with http:// and end with a ">.

3. Type a short description such as "Click here to..." which will appear underlined in blue.

4. Type </a>.

That's it! It should look like this:

<a href="http://www.mywebsite.com">Click here for a 50%-off coupon!</a>

Web-based email programs:

Hotmail and Yahoo! require a full URL (with the http:// part) in order to be clickable.

What if you're sending email with links to a mixed bag of recipients? If there are any people with AOL addresses, you will have to use the html coding. Now, html-coded links don't always work in other email programs such as Netscape and Outlook.

Here's how to do it: Code the link as in the example above, but repeat the URL (with a space on each side) instead of "Click here ..." Type it like this:

<a href="http://www.mywebsite.com"> http://www.mywebsite.com </a>

This way the link will do double-duty. It's got the http:// for people with Netscape or web-based free email, yet those using America Online and most other email programs will be able to click on it.

When you make the effort to format clickable links in your emails, you will save the recipients from having to copy & paste web addresses. It's a small kindness that goes a long way!