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Web Design
Hyperlink and Status Bar
From: Ed Zivkovic
Jul 6, 2006, 20:26

Hide Those Affiliate Links

Okay, we know how to make a hyperlink, now let's add the onMouseOver and onMouseOut attributes to the basic hyperlink code in order to change the status bar text and hide affiliate links.

What Is Status Bar?

The bottom left hand corner of the Internet Explorer Web Browser will display the destination URL of a hyperlink when the mouse pointer hovers over it.

Why Change Status Bar Text?

The do it yourself web designer often finds it necessary to offset running costs by joining an affiliate program. The web designer inserts affiliate links into their web site and makes money after a completed transaction.

The problem with affiliate links is that web savvy surfers will easily spot an affiliate link in the StatusBar when they hover their mouse over it. In some niche markets, this can actually reduce click-through rates.

To overcome this problem an extra attribute can be added to the regular HTML hyperlink code.

Change StatusBar Hyperlink Code

The following example code can be used for normal text hyperlinks and image hyperlinks. This code works in IE but does not work in FireFox.

Source

<a href="http://www.marketingtips.com/sr/t.x/767730" onMouseOver="window.status='http://www.marketingtips.com/'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">Affiliate Link</a>

Output

Affiliate Link

StatusBar Tips

  • In order to make the hyperlink look natural, do not give a value for onMouseOut="window.status='LEAVE BLANK' and keep the return values set as true. This will leave no text displayed in the StatusBar when the mouse pointer hovers away from the hyperlink.

  • Do not mislead people. The StatusBar text should always be a reflection of the destination URL.

  • Set affiliate links to open in a new browser window if you want visitors to stay at your web site.

  • Users of 1st Page 2000, can generate the above code by launching the Anchor Code Generator.

  • A HTML button will also hide the StatusBar text, but the problem with HTML buttons is that they do not fit neatly in a paragraph of text.

Ed's Link Cloaker

There is a FREE little software program called Ed's Link Cloaker which generaterates the above code with the affiliate link and StatusBar text you specify.

Requirements

Windows 95/98/2000/ME/XP or better. No installation required. Double click linkcloaker.exe to run the program. Ed's Link Cloaker does not contact the Internet. It is a simple stand-alone utility which generates advanced HTML Hyperlink Code.

Download Now - linkcloaker.exe - 276 KB

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