The basics
Often we link to other websites. Fortunately, these links are simple and intuitive to create.
- Highlight the text that should become a link:
- Click the link button the the editor bar:
- Enter the destination URL then click Add Link:
Opening new windows
When WordPress prompts you for a link, you can make it open a new window/tab by checking Open link in a new window/tab.
In general you should not do this.
It used to be common to open a new window when linking to an external site, or when opening a document, but this practice has generally fallen out of favor.
For years people have debated when to open a new window. Consensus from usability experts seems to have settled on this guideline:
Don’t open a new window/tab unless leaving the current page might lose the visitor’s work, e.g., they’re in the middle of filling out a form.
There are three primary reasons for this:
- Control. Most of the time when you click a link you don’t want a new window, and you might not appreciate the website deciding that you do. When someone does want a new window, most people know how to do that themselves. And if they don’t know how to open a new window, opening one for them is more likely to confuse than to help.
- “Back” Confusion. People use the Back button often. If the visitor doesn’t notice you switched them to a new window, the back button won’t work as expected.
- Annoyance. Too many new windows/tabs can bother people.