Using links in your email signature effectively ensures that your contacts can easily reach you through various communication channels. Here's a detailed guide on how to use different types of links correctly in your email signature.
General Tips for Using Links in Email Signatures
- Use Descriptive Text: Avoid raw URLs (e.g.,
https://example.com
). Use descriptive text like "Visit Our Website" or "Connect with Me on LinkedIn." - Shorten Long Links: Use services like Email Signature Rescue and Bitly if URLs are excessively long.
- Test Your Links: Ensure all links are clickable and direct to the correct destination.
- Use Consistent Styling: Match font, size, and color for link text with the rest of your signature. For accessibility, underline links or use contrasting colors.
Link Types and How to Use Them
1. Website Links (https://
)
- Purpose: Direct users to your website or a specific landing page.
- Example:
<a href="https://www.example.com" target="_blank">Visit Our Website</a>
- Best Practices:
- Always include the
https://
prefix for security and proper functionality. - Use
target="_blank"
to open links in a new tab.
- Always include the
2. Email Links (mailto:
)
- Purpose: Allow users to click and start composing an email directly to your address.
- Example:
<a href="mailto:you@example.com">Email Me</a>
- Advanced: Pre-fill subject and body for convenience:
<a href="mailto:you@example.com?subject=Hello&body=How%20are%20you%3F">Email Me</a>
3. Phone Links (tel:
)
- Purpose: Allow users to tap and call you on mobile devices.
- Example:
<a href="tel:+1234567890">Call Me</a>
- Best Practices:
- Include the country code for international usability (e.g.,
+1
for the US).
- Include the country code for international usability (e.g.,
4. Skype Links (skype:
)
- Purpose: Initiate a Skype call or chat.
- Examples:
- For a call:
<a href="skype:live.username?call">Call Me on Skype</a>
- For a chat:
<a href="skype:live.username?chat">Chat on Skype</a>
5. WhatsApp Links (https://wa.me/
)
- Purpose: Direct users to chat with you on WhatsApp.
- Example:
<a href="https://wa.me/1234567890">Message Me on WhatsApp</a>
- Best Practices:
- Include the full international phone number without spaces or symbols (e.g.,
+
). - Add pre-filled messages:
<a href="https://wa.me/1234567890?text=Hello%20there!">Message Me on WhatsApp</a>
- Include the full international phone number without spaces or symbols (e.g.,
6. Social Media Links
- Purpose: Direct users to your social media profiles.
- Examples:
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/yourprofile" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>
<a href="https://www.twitter.com/yourprofile" target="_blank">Twitter</a>
7. Location Links (https://maps.google.com/
)
- Purpose: Provide directions to your office or physical location.
- Example:
<a href="https://maps.google.com/?q=1600+Amphitheatre+Parkway,+Mountain+View,+CA">Find Us on Google Maps</a>