What is External Link?
Understanding External Link in E-commerce
Quick Definition
An external link is a hyperlink that directs users from your website to a different domain or website. These links connect your content to outside resources, provide additional context, enhance credibility, and can improve SEO when used strategically. External links should be relevant, trustworthy, and add value to the user experience.
Understanding External Links in Digital Marketing
What Defines an External Link?
An external link is any hyperlink that points to a webpage on a different domain than the current website. Unlike internal links that navigate within the same website, external links connect your content to outside resources, providing additional information, references, or context.
Types of External Links
- •Reference Links: Citations to research, studies, or authoritative sources
- •Affiliate Links: Links that generate commission when users make purchases
- •Outbound Marketing Links: Links to partner websites or complementary services
- •Resource Links: Additional information sources for deeper understanding
SEO and External Link Best Practices
Link Quality Matters
Link to reputable, high-authority websites with relevant content. Search engines evaluate link quality when ranking pages.
Use Descriptive Anchor Text
Choose meaningful link text that describes the destination, improving user experience and SEO signals.
Open in New Tabs
Use target='_blank' to prevent users from navigating away from your site completely.
Add Rel Attributes
Use rel='nofollow' for affiliate or sponsored links to maintain SEO integrity.
Potential Risks and Considerations
- ⚠️Link Rot: External websites change, potentially breaking your references
- ⚠️Domain Authority: Low-quality external links can negatively impact SEO
- ⚠️User Experience: Too many external links can distract from your content
- ⚠️Compliance: Ensure links adhere to platform and legal guidelines
Strategic External Linking
External links are more than just connections—they're strategic tools for building credibility, enhancing user experience, and supporting your content's authority. When used thoughtfully, they can improve your website's perceived value and search engine rankings.
Advanced e-commerce platforms like Growth Suite understand the importance of strategic linking. By providing comprehensive analytics and user behavior tracking, such tools help merchants understand how external links impact visitor engagement and conversion potential.
The key is balance: provide valuable external resources without compromising your primary conversion goals.
Put External Link into Practice
Ready to apply these concepts to your store? Growth Suite provides the tools you need to implement effective external link strategies.
Other Terms in "E"
- E-commerce
- EDI (Electronic Data Interchange)
- Elastic Search
- Email Automation
- Email List
- Email Marketing
- Email Service Provider (ESP)
- Embedded App