The Power of Better Link Labels in Small Business Web Design

At Central Coast SEO, I often find that small business owners tend to focus on the bigger picture when building or revamping their websites—things like overall layout, colour palettes, logo placement, or even SEO-friendly content. But what’s often overlooked is the humble link label. It may seem like a small design detail, but in truth, link labels play a disproportionately large role in user experience and conversion rates.

In my years of building and optimising websites, I’ve seen first-hand how vague or poorly labelled links create friction, confusion, and ultimately bounce rates. If your customer doesn’t understand where a link is going to take them, they simply won’t click it—or worse, they’ll click it, get confused, and lose trust in your site. In contrast, a well-crafted link label is like a helpful signpost. It tells your user exactly what to expect and guides them confidently along their journey.

Clarity Drives Conversions

Let’s be clear about something: users don’t read web pages word for word—they scan. This means links must be instantly understandable. Vague phrases like “click here,” “read more,” or “find out” give no context. They force users to work harder, and that’s the last thing we want.

For small business websites, every single click matters. You don’t have the luxury of mass traffic that global brands enjoy. You’re speaking to a smaller, more targeted audience, and every visitor is a potential customer. If your link says “learn more,” but doesn’t specify what the user will be learning about, you risk losing that click—and with it, the opportunity to guide someone further down your sales funnel.

Instead, your links should be descriptive. Rather than saying “click here,” a better label would be “See our pricing options” or “Download our free consultation guide.” These tell users exactly what’s on the other side of the click, reducing uncertainty and increasing engagement.

Accessibility Isn’t Optional

Another crucial aspect of link labelling is accessibility. As a web professional, I have a responsibility to ensure every site I build is usable by as many people as possible—including those using screen readers or other assistive technologies.

Screen readers often read out link text independently from the rest of the content, meaning contextless links like “read more” become useless in isolation. This creates a frustrating experience for users with visual impairments, ultimately excluding them from interacting with your site effectively. Not only is this bad for business, it can also place your site at risk of failing accessibility standards.

When I design sites for clients, we always ensure that links stand alone and make sense on their own. It’s not just a best practice—it’s the ethical thing to do, and it reflects well on your brand.

SEO and Link Text

While many small business owners rightly prioritise keywords in their main headings or body copy, they often forget that anchor text (the actual words you use for a link) contributes to SEO too. Google uses link text to understand the structure of your site and the relationships between pages.

A link that says “Dog Training Packages” is far more useful to both users and search engines than one that says “Click here.” Descriptive link labels add semantic clarity, reinforcing your site’s topical relevance and keyword focus. And when links are keyword-rich and helpful to the reader, that’s the sweet spot—because they serve both your human visitors and Google’s algorithms.

Building Trust Through Transparency

There’s also a trust component to good link labels. In a time when digital scams and clickbait headlines are rampant, users are more wary than ever. If your links feel misleading or overly vague, even unintentionally, it can create doubt in your visitor’s mind.

By being upfront—clearly stating where a link goes and what a user will get—you demonstrate transparency. You show that your brand doesn’t play games or hide behind ambiguous calls to action. This is especially important for local or service-based businesses where trust is a major deciding factor in whether a prospect picks up the phone or walks away.

The Small Detail That Makes a Big Difference

When you add it all up, link labels might be one of the most underappreciated tools in your website’s arsenal. They affect user experience, accessibility, SEO, and trust—all with just a few words. And that’s the kind of ROI I love to see for small businesses.

At Central Coast SEO, we don’t just build beautiful websites—we build intuitive, user-friendly digital experiences. That means sweating the small stuff, because it’s often the little things—like a clear, helpful link—that nudge your visitor toward conversion.

So, if you’re planning a new website or auditing your current one, take a moment to review your link text. Ask yourself: would I know what this means if I saw it out of context? Is it clear, descriptive, and helpful? If not, it’s time for an update.

For expert help designing and optimising a website that turns clicks into customers, visit Central Coast SEO and contact us today!