HTML Anchor Element: A Complete Guide

Have you ever clicked on a blue underlined text on a webpage and went to the new destination? That’s the magic of HTML anchor tags! These anchors are the building blocks of hyperlinks.

It allows users to navigate seamlessly between different web pages, sections of a webpage, or even resources like images and email addresses.

According to the studies, the strategic use of anchor tags can increase website traffic by up to 25%. 

By strategically using anchor tags, SEO service providers can create an informative and user-friendly website.

What is a <a> Tag in HTML?

The <a> tag in HTML is a piece of code for adding links from one web resource to another. It is also called an anchor tag or element. These hyperlinks are the clickable buttons on the webpage and can take you to the same website or any other.

• If you use <a> tags to make a link that goes to another page on the same website, it is called internal linking.
• Whereas external linking is called external linking if you use <a> tag to make a link that goes to a page on a different website.
• In addition, Images, videos, email addresses, and web pages are among the resources that tags can link to.

Image Source- Semrush

Where Are HTML Anchor Tags Used?

HTML is the code language web developers can use to make webpages. Also, you can use anchor tags in HTML anywhere you want to link to another resource on your website.

Here are some common places where HTML anchor tags are used:

Web Pages: 

Anchor tags are commonly used in HTML documents to create hyperlinks between different web pages. Users can click on these links to navigate to other pages within the same website or to external websites.

Navigation Menu: 

Anchor tags create menu items or navigation links within a website’s header, footer, or sidebar. These links help users easily navigate between different sections of the websites.

Images: 

Anchor tags can wrap around images to create clickable image links. Users are directed to the URL specified in the anchor tag’s ‘href’ attribute when they click on the image.

Email Addresses: 

Anchor tags with the ‘mailto’ protocol can create links that open the user’s default email client with a pre-filled email address.

After knowing where anchor tags are used, move to the topic “ elements of HTML tags”.

Elements of an HTML <a> Tag

Opening Tag (<a>): This suggests to the browser that the following content is a link and starts the anchor element.

Image Source- HubSpot Blog

Semrush says opening tags help businesses grow 20% faster than usual. 

Attributes: 

• These non-compulsory recommendations designate the link’s conduct and are inserted in the opening tag.
• The most critical property of an anchor tag is href, which shows the link’s destination (URL, email address, etc.).
• Additional common properties are target (indicates wherein the linked content material has to open, including in a new tab) and name (descriptive text that hovers over an element).

Anchor Text: 

The content that users will click on that is visible is called the anchor textual content. For accessibility and usability, the anchor textual content must be informative and pertinent to the link’s destination.

Closing Tag (</a>):

This signifies the end of the anchor element and lets the browser know where the link definition stops.

HTML <a> Tags vs. HTML <link> Tags: Key Differences

Functionality:

Users can flow between different web pages or resources by using hyperlinks created with tags. Antag directs users to the specified URL when they click on it.

In contrast, the primary motive of tags is to connect external resources to an HTML document. Various versions of the document(including print or translation variations) and stylesheets are examples of these sources. Tags specify relationships between the current document and external resources, no longer the creation of clickable links.

Application:

Tags are usually used within the document body to create clickable links in the content material of an HTML document.

If you need to link to external resources like stylesheets, icon files, or different versions of the document, you usually put tags inside the section of an HTML document.

Attributes:

The “href” attribute is regularly present in tags and indicates the URL to which the link points. Additionally, they could add extra properties like Target to regulate the way the linked content appears (in a new tab or window, for example).

The “rel” attribute is frequently present in tags and indicates the relationship between the current document and the linked resources (stylesheet, icon, etc.). They also have the href attribute, which contains the linked resource’s URL.

Advantages of Using Anchor Tags in HTML

Hyperlinking: 

Anchor tags let you link to documents, images, other websites, or particular areas of the same web page. This makes it easy to move between resources.

Enhancement of Navigation: 

They make it easy for users to navigate a webpage by letting them jump straight to particular content sections. This is particularly beneficial for lengthy articles or pages.

Cross-Platform Compatibility: 

Anchor tags offer steady functionality and accessibility for users across many devices and platforms. They are compatible with all contemporary web browsers.

Benefits of SEO: 

Anchor tags assist with search engine optimization (SEO) by giving engines like Google context approximately the connected content while they’re used with descriptive anchor textual content. Web pages that do this will rank higher in search results and become more visible.

Bookmarking:

By directly linking to anchor tags on a webpage, customers can bookmark particular sections of the content, making it simpler for them to return to or share the content later.

Accessibility:

Well-placed anchor tags improve accessibility by giving screen readers and other assistive technologies descriptive text, making it viable for all users to navigate and comprehend the content effectively.

Dynamic Content Loading: 

To create single-page programs (SPAs) or AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) for extra interactive and seamless user experience, anchor tags can be used in conjunction with JavaScript.

Improved User Experience: 

Anchor tags enhance the user experience by encouraging exploration and interaction with the content by connecting relevant content across various web pages or websites.

Analytics and Tracking: 

By integrating anchor tags with web analytics software, you can reveal user actions like clicking on particular hyperlinks. This gives you important information about how users behave and helps you improve your internet site’s overall performance and content strategy of your websites.

How to Create HTML <a> Tags

Here are some steps to create HTML <a> tags

Step 1: Log in to the WordPress Admin Panel:

Login to the panel with your login credential

Step 2: Navigate to the Page or Post Editor: 

Select the Page or Posts from the WordPress menu. Then add the hyperlink there.

Step 3: Switch to HTML Editor:

Click on the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of the editor and select “Code

Editor”. Now click on the HTML editor code.

Image Source- GreenGreeks

Step 4: Insert <a> tag: 

In the HTML editor add <a> tag. Make sure to replace the URL with the actual URL you want to link.

Step 5: Switch back to Visual Editor: 

After adding your HTML code, you can switch back to the visual editor mode if you prefer by clicking on the “Visual” tab in the Gutenberg editor or the “Visual” tab in the Classic editor.

Step 6: Save or Update the Page/Post: 

Once you’ve added your hyperlink, don’t forget to save or update the page/post to apply the changes.

Troubleshooting Issues with HTML <a> Tags

Troubleshooting HTML <a> tags involves identifying and addressing common issues that might prevent links from functioning as expected. Here are some steps to troubleshoot the issues.

Check for Syntax Error: 

Check that the <a> tag is properly placed with opening ‘<’ and closing ‘>’ tags and correctly specifies the ‘href’ attribute.

Verify Link URL:  

Check that the ‘href’ attribute contains the correct URL or path to the destination.

According to Semrush, Incorrect URLs in the ‘href’ attribute lead to broken links.

Confirm Link Targets: 

If you use the ‘target’ attribute to specify where the linked content should open, ensure it is correctly set.

Conclusion

It is essential to understand HTML anchor elements represented by tags to create efficient hyperlinks within web resources. Web developers can improve search engine optimization, accessibility, and user experience by learning the properties and uses of tags.

This applies to both internal and external linking and navigation. Debugging frequently occurring problems guarantees HTML links operate smoothly and perform at their best, improving user experience.

Read more: 7 Ways to Use the ‘Inspect Element’ Tool for SEO

FAQs: 

• How do I anchor an element in HTML?

To anchor an element in HTML, use the <a> tag, followed by the ‘href’ attribute to specify the link’s destination. This creates a clickable hyperlink, facilitating navigation within the same webpage or to external resources.

• Is href required for an anchor?

Yes, the ‘href’ attribute is required for an anchor <a> tag in HTML. It specifies the URL or destination where the link should navigate when clicked. This ensures proper functionality and directs users to the intended resources.

• How many anchor tags are in HTML?

HTML has multiple anchors <a> tags for a document. So, you can incorporate many anchors when required to build up the hyperlink to build up the webpage. This enables seamless navigation between different resources.

• What is the difference between anchor and href?

The difference between an anchor and a ‘ href’ lies in their functionalities within HTML. The anchor (<a>) element denotes a hyperlink, while the ‘href’ attribute, utilized within the anchor tag, specifies the link’s destination, determining where users are directed upon clicking.

• What is an anchor element?

An anchor element is a component in HTML that creates hyperlinks within web content. It enables the user to navigate between different resources, facilitating seamless interaction and exploration across web pages or external sites.

• How does href work?

The ‘href’ specifies the hyperlink reference within an HTML anchor (<a>) tag, dictating the destination URL or resource to which the link directs users when clicked. This attribute is crucial in facilitating seamless navigation and interaction across web pages or external resources within a website.