What are Footer Links and How do They Matter for User Experience and SEO?
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Footer links are the little guys at the bottom of your webpage. In other words, it is the section near the copyright info. Many people think they aren’t really important, but they are wrong. Footer links help your visitors navigate to key pages without a hassle. They make it easy for users to find what they need, which could mean they stick around longer.
Footer links won’t work like magic for your SEO, but they do play a crucial role. These internal links help search engines like Google understand your site structure. The better they get it, the better you might rank.
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Best Practices for Footer Links
Here are some tips to get your footer practices strong.
- Only Link to Key Pages
Keep it relevant; your footer should highlight your top pages, like:
- About Us
- Product or Service Info
- Contact Info
- Legal Pages
- Customer Support
The goal is to avoid overloading your footer with links. Too many might confuse Google. Remember that your footer shouldn’t take over the screen.
- Organize Links Like a Pro
Make your footer neat and easy to scan. Group related links together and use headings to guide users. People usually read left to right, so place the important stuff on the left. As simple as that.
- Descriptive Anchor Text
Anchor text is the clickable part of a link. It should clearly tell users—and search engines—what they’re about to see. Keep it short and sweet, but make it descriptive.
- Mobile-Friendly Design
Everyone’s on their phone these days, so make sure your footer looks great on mobile too. Use a responsive design so your links stay easy to click, no matter the device. But remember, links should always be scannable and clickable.
- Stick Mostly to internal links
Your footer is prime real estate for internal links. Keep them in-house to keep visitors on your site. Don’t put too many external links. They’ll take users away, who may never come back.
However, a few external links are okay. Think social media profiles and Google Maps locations. Place them on the right side of the footer. That way, your internal links get the spotlight. But if someone wants to check your socials and find your location, they can click those easily too.
- Add a Call to Action (CTA)
Don’t miss the chance to drive action. A footer CTA can get users to subscribe, contact you, or take the next step. Whether it’s a newsletter signup or a “Contact Us” button, make it easy for visitors to convert.
For example, add a “Subscribe to Our Newsletter” field, or if you’re a nonprofit, try “Volunteer” or “Join Our List.” Make it compelling—your footer could be the last place to grab that click!
- Use Links the Right Way
Footer links aren’t just there to look pretty; they should be part of your SEO game plan. Make sure your internal links are working as they should across your site. Run a site audit, and check the “internal linking” section for any issues. If something’s off, it’ll show up in the “internal link issues” reports. Fix it, and you’re good to go.
Conclusion
Footer links may be small, but they serve big purposes. They make navigation easy, help users find essential information, and support your SEO by clarifying site structure for search engines. With well-organized links, clear CTAs, and a mobile-friendly design, your footer can boost user experience and engagement—making every page on your site count.
