Hyperlinks, Redirects and 404 Pages

The following standards should be followed when working with links on webpages on MSU-affiliated websites.

• Do not configure links to automatically open in a new window or tab. Doing so can confuse and frustrate visitors to MSU websites.
• Using a new browser window resets the back button in that window. The back button is the second most used navigation function (after following hyperlinks).

• Include common keywords or phrases in links that describe the content on linked pages.
• Use link text like “learn how to apply to MSU,” “sign up to receive MSU news updates” and “visit the Office of the President website.”
• Do not use link text like “more information,” “click here” and “learn more.”

• Check regularly for broken links that confuse and frustrate visitors.
• Use free automated link-checking tools to identify broken links such as: 
  • Xenu Link Sleuth for Windows 
  • Integrity for OSX
• Manually check links quarterly to locate broken links automated tools can’t identify.

Redirect links are used to direct website visitors to a new, appropriate webpage when the page they attempted to visit is no longer available. Redirects will help a website’s search engine optimization.  

• Have a redirect plan created as part of any website project. 
• When pages have been replaced or deleted, users may still look for them via bookmarks or links on other pages.
• Redirect to the final page whenever possible.
• Avoid redirect loops.

A 404 page is an error page that appears when someone visits a webpage that no longer exists. Generic 404 pages are not helpful to a visitor because they have no clear next step. 

• Use custom 404 pages in conjunction with redirect links to provide users a helpful landing page when the webpage they’re looking for is missing.