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Linking to AskColorado

Linking Best Practices | Add a Simple Link to AskColorado

Linking Best Practices

Libraries can increase the visibility and accessibility patrons have to AskColorado by implementing simple marketing best practices on their websites. The end result is that more patrons from the library will find and use the service.

1. Provide a logo link AND text link to AskColorado on the homepage of the website.
   • Homepage links increase accessibility & visibility of the service. The "Homepage" is the first page of your website.
   • Logo graphics may not load properly for some individuals so logo links only will not work for all patrons.
   • Adding a separate text link accounts for incompatible browsers.
   • EXAMPLE - Jefferson County Libraries


2. Make it so patrons only have to click their mouse once to get to the AskColorado website. (This obviously ties to #1.)
   • Single-click links must be on the homepage. Patrons will not waste time searching for buried links.
   • Single-click links should be on the top of pages to save patrons time from scrolling.
   • EXAMPLE - Rampart Library District - look in the center of the page near the bottom


3. Provide a logo and text link to AskColorado on every page of the website.
   • Links on each page give users fast & easy access to AskColorado.
   • Build links into the navigation bar. Navigation bars are likely to appear on every page of a website.
   • EXAMPLE - Denver Public Library Homepage - look in the upper right-hand portion of the page for the "Ask Us" link. Note that this link is present on nearly all pages.


4. Include a link to AskColorado that is accessible from the library catalog.
   • Users may have a reference question while in the catalog.
   • EXAMPLE - Denver Public Library Catalog Results - look for AskColorado at the bottom of the screen


5. Provide a link to AskColorado from AskUs or AskaLibrarian pages.
   • Patrons are likely to visit pages which list all available services.
   • Patrons are more inclined to link to AskColorado from these pages.
   • Patrons may know the connection between "Ask Us" pages and AskColorado.
   • EXAMPLE - Douglas County Libraries


6. Give a brief description of the service along with the text and logo link.
   • Sites with links & no description lose patrons.
   • Use simple keywords or phrases to increase comprehension of the service.
   • EXAMPLE - Jefferson County Public Libraries
   • EXAMPLE - Adams State College Library


7. All AskColorado links should bring patrons to the most relevant page for their needs.
   • Patrons are better served when linked to most relevant page. For example: Link K-12 students directly into the Kids & Teens page
   • EXAMPLE - Denver Public Library Evolver Site for Teens - look for AskColorado in the bottom middle of the page

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Add a Simple Link to AskColorado on Your Web site

Not a webmaster? Just follow these simple steps to add this coding to your web page:

1. Decide where you want the image to appear on your web page. Have your HTML file ready, either open in your HTML editor or in the word processing program you use to create your webpages.
2. Position your cursor over the image below.
3. Click on the righthand mouse button and choose the SAVE IMAGE AS option. Save the graphic using the given file name, such as "logo.gif". You'll need to make sure both the image file you just saved and your webpage are in the same directory on your webserver.
4. Highlight the line of code displayed under the image. Copy and paste this code into your HTML file where you want the AskColorado link to appear on your web page. Save your document!
5. Make sure your HTML document, and the image, are in the same directory on your webserver.
6. Reload your webpage in your browser to see the change!

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<a href="http://www.askcolorado.org">
<img src="logo.gif" alt="AskColorado Logo">
</a>

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