Internal linking for small sites

Why internal linking matters

Internal links are links from one page on your site to another. They help users discover related content and help search engines understand how your pages connect [1]Source 1 .

On a small site you do not need hundreds of links. You need a few well-placed links that make sense to people and describe where they go.

For more on structure, see website structure: organising pages for users and search and technical SEO: the foundations that matter.

Where to add internal links

1) Navigation and key pages

Your main navigation should link to the most important sections: services, about, contact, and any other core pages. The homepage should link to a few key landing or service pages so users and crawlers can reach them easily.

2) Within content

When you mention a topic that has its own page, link to it. For example: “We offer accessibility audits” or “See our guide to form design.”

• Use descriptive link text: “Accessibility audits” or “Guide to form design” is better than “click here” or “read more.” It helps users and search engines understand the target page.
• Link where it fits naturally: One or two relevant links per section is enough. Do not stuff links into every sentence.

3) Related content blocks

At the end of a page (e.g. a service page or article), add a short “Related” or “You might also like” section with links to 2–4 related pages. Keeps users moving and reinforces topical connections.

What to avoid

• Generic link text: “Click here,” “Read more,” “Learn more” does not describe the destination. Use the page topic or title in the link text where you can.
• Linking every keyword: One link per topic per page is usually enough. Repeating the same link many times does not help and can feel spammy.
• Orphan pages: Every important page should have at least one internal link pointing to it. If no other page links to it, search engines and users may not find it.
• Broken or wrong links: Check links when you publish or change URLs. Use redirects when you move pages [2]Source 2 .

How many links?

There is no magic number. Aim for: a clear path from the homepage to key pages, and a few contextual links within content where they help the reader. Quality and relevance matter more than count.

Summary

Use internal links to help users find related content and to signal how your pages connect. Put them in navigation, in content where the topic comes up, and in a short related-content block. Use descriptive link text, avoid orphans and broken links, and do not overdo it.