The basic way to link to another website
A link to another website uses the same HTML tag as a link to a page on your own site — the anchor tag, written as <a>. The only difference is that the address you point to includes the full web address, starting with http:// or https://.
Here is the structure: <a href="https://www.example.com">Click here</a>. The text between the opening and closing tags — in this case "Click here" — is what the reader sees and can click on. The href attribute holds the full web address of the site you want to link to.
The https:// part matters. If you leave it out and write only www.example.com, the browser will treat it as a page on your own site and the link will break. Always include the protocol — either http:// or https:// — when linking to another domain.
Key Takeaways
- External links use the anchor tag with the full web address, including https:// at the start.
- The text between the opening and closing tags is what readers see; the href attribute holds the actual web address.
- Omitting http:// or https:// breaks the link because the browser thinks you are pointing to your own site.
- You can open a link in a new tab by adding target="_blank" to the anchor tag.
Where to find the web address to link to
The web address you need is in your browser's address bar at the top of the screen. Click on the address bar, select all the text (usually Ctrl+A on Windows or Cmd+A on Mac), and copy it. This gives you the exact address the browser is using.
Be careful about what you copy. Some websites add extra characters to the address bar that are not part of the actual link — tracking codes, session IDs, or parameters that only work while you are logged in. If you paste a link and it does not work for someone else, you may have copied one of these temporary additions. Test the link in a private or incognito window before publishing it, or ask someone else to click it and confirm it works.
Opening links in a new tab instead of the same window
By default, when someone clicks a link to another website, their browser leaves your site and opens the other site in the same tab or window. If you want the link to open in a new tab instead — keeping your site visible in the background — add target="_blank" to the anchor tag.
The code looks like this: <a href="https://www.example.com" target="_blank">Click here</a>. The reader's browser will open the linked site in a new tab, and your site stays open in the original tab.
Use this sparingly. Opening new tabs without asking can feel pushy to readers, especially on mobile phones where tabs are less visible. Reserve it for links that are clearly supplementary — like a reference or source document — rather than the main destination you want someone to visit.
Making link text clear and descriptive
The words you use for link text matter more than most people think. "Click here" or "Read more" tells the reader nothing about where the link goes. A screen reader user or someone scanning the page quickly will not know whether to click it.
Instead, use text that describes the destination or the reason for the link. "The EPA's guide to home insulation" is better than "Click here for more information." "Our partner's pricing page" is better than "Link." If you are linking to a specific document, use the document name: "read the 2024 Housing Report" instead of "read."
This also helps with search engines. Links with descriptive text send a signal about what the linked page contains, which helps search engines understand both your site and the site you are linking to.
Checking that your link works before publishing
After you paste a web address into your link, test it before you publish the page. Right-click the link (or Ctrl-click on Mac) and choose "Open link in new tab" or "Open link in new window." The page should load without errors.
If the page does not load, check three things: first, make sure you copied the entire address, including any slashes or hyphens at the end. Second, confirm that https:// is at the start — many sites now require it. Third, if the site requires you to be logged in to see the page, the link will not work for other readers. Copy the address from the public version of the page instead.
Test the link from a private or incognito window, or ask a colleague to click it. This catches problems that only show up for people who are not logged into the site you are linking to.
Links that point to a specific section of another page
You can link not just to a website's home page, but to a specific section within a page — if that page has been set up with anchor points. This is useful when you want to send someone directly to the information they need rather than making them scroll through an entire article.
The syntax adds a hash symbol and the anchor name to the end of the web address: <a href="https://www.example.com/page#section-name">Jump to the section</a>. The anchor name depends on how the other website built their page. You can sometimes guess it by looking at the URL when you scroll to that section — if the address bar shows #faq, then #faq is the anchor name.
Not every website uses anchors, so this will not always work. If you try it and the link just goes to the top of the page, the site either does not have anchors set up or uses different names than what you guessed. In that case, link to the main page and let the reader scroll to find what they need.
Common mistakes that break external links
The most common mistake is forgetting https:// at the start. Without it, the browser treats the address as a relative path on your own site, and the link breaks. Always include the protocol.
The second mistake is copying a URL that includes tracking codes or session parameters. If you are logged into a site and you copy the address from the address bar, you may be copying a URL that only works while you are logged in. Test the link in an incognito window to catch this before publishing.
The third mistake is linking to a page that later disappears or moves. You cannot control what happens to other websites, but you can reduce the risk by linking to stable pages — like a homepage or a main resource page — rather than to news articles or blog posts that might be deleted. If you link to something important, check it occasionally to make sure it still works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to use http or https?
Use https:// whenever possible. Most websites now use HTTPS, which encrypts the connection between the reader's browser and the site. If you are not sure which one a site uses, try https:// first — modern browsers will usually redirect to the correct version automatically if the site supports it.
What is the difference between an external link and an internal link?
An internal link points to another page on your own website and uses a relative path like <a href="/about">. An external link points to a different website and uses the full web address like <a href="https://www.example.com">. Always include the full address for external links.
Can I link to a PDF or document on another site?
Yes, the same rules explore. Copy the full address of the PDF from your browser's address bar and paste it into the href attribute. The link will read or open the file depending on the reader's browser settings. Make sure the file is publicly available and not behind a login.
Should I tell readers that a link opens in a new tab?
You do not have to, but it can be helpful. Some people find new tabs surprising or annoying. If you use target="_blank", you can add a note in the link text like "View our partner's site (opens in new tab)" so readers know what to expect.
What if the website I want to link to no longer exists?
The link will show an error page. Check the address bar to make sure you copied it correctly, and test the link in an incognito window. If the site genuinely no longer exists, remove the link or replace it with a link to a similar resource that is still available.