AskAcademic


Linking to AskAcademic

Linking Best Practices

Participating libraries can increase the visibility and accessibility patrons have to AskAcademic by implementing simple marketing best practices on their websites. The end result is that more patrons from the library will find and use the service.

  1. Provide a logo link AND text link to AskAcademic on the homepage of the website.

    • Homepage links increase accessibility & visibility of the service. The "Homepage" is the first page of your website.
    • Logo graphics may not load properly for some individuals so logo links only will not work for all patrons.
    • Adding a separate text link accounts for incompatible browsers.
    • EXAMPLE - Cardinal Stafford Library

  2. Make it so patrons only have to click their mouse once to get to the AskAcademic website. (This obviously ties to #1.)

    • Single-click links must be on the homepage. Patrons will not waste time searching for buried links.
    • Single-click links should be on the top of pages to save patrons time from scrolling.
    • EXAMPLE - Naropa University Library Homepage - look in the right-hand column

  3. Provide a logo and text link to AskAcademic on every page of the website.

    • Links on each page give users fast & easy access to AskAcademic.
    • Build links into the navigation bar. Navigation bars are likely to appear on every page of a website.
    • EXAMPLE - Auraria Library - look in the upper right-hand portion of the page for the "Ask a Librarian" link. Note that this link is present on nearly all pages.

  4. Include a link to AskAcademic that is accessible from the library catalog.

    • Users may have a reference question while in the catalog.
    • EXAMPLE - none available at this time

  5. Provide a link to AskAcademic from AskUs or AskaLibrarian pages.
    • Patrons are likely to visit pages which list all available services.
    • Patrons are more inclined to link to AskColorado from these pages.
    • Patrons may know the connection between "Ask Us" pages and AskAcademic.
    • EXAMPLE - Colorado Mesa University

  6. Give a brief description of the service along with the text and logo link.
    • Sites with links & no description lose patrons.
    • Use simple keywords or phrases to increase comprehension of the service.
    • EXAMPLE - Adams State College Library