Anchor Links: Help Visitors Jump to a Page Section
Learn how to create anchor links for your business website, share specific page sections, and fix common jump-link problems before sending customers there.
Anchor links take visitors directly to a specific section of a webpage. Also called jump links or page jumps, they can help someone reach delivery details, service packages, or booking instructions without scrolling through everything above them. The setup needs two matching pieces: a destination marker on the page and a link pointing to that marker.
Where anchor links help your customers
Imagine a catering business with one long services page. A customer comparing menus wants the package details; someone ready to order wants delivery information. A short list near the top can send each person to the relevant section.
This works well for service pages, event schedules, and detailed guides. The W3C's table-of-contents guidance describes how section links give readers an overview and direct access to specific information.
Choose sections that answer distinct questions. If the whole page fits comfortably on one screen, extra jump links may add little value. Keep the important content readable in its normal order, too.
Create the destination before adding the link
Start with the section people should reach. In your website editor, look for an anchor, section identifier, or HTML ID setting. The name and location depend on the platform.
For example, WordPress.com's page-jump instructions show how to assign an HTML anchor through a block's advanced settings.
A practical setup is:
- Select the delivery section or its heading.
- Give it a short identifier, such as
delivery. - Add a text link near the top labeled “Delivery information.”
- Set that link's destination to
#delivery. - Save and test the published page.
The identifier belongs to the destination; the hash sign belongs in the link. Use a unique identifier for each section and avoid spaces. MDN's documentation on IDs explains these underlying requirements.
Ask your website provider to configure this if your editor does not expose the setting.
Share a section from another page or message
A destination such as #delivery points within the current page. To send someone from another page, email, or customer message, use the destination page's complete web address followed by #delivery.
This distinction matters when a site's shared navigation appears on several pages. A delivery link should still reach the services page when clicked from your homepage.
For a compact address, you can use Nexlab's link shortener. Supply the complete section URL, then check that the resulting short link reaches the intended section before distributing it.
Keep identifiers stable when editing headings. Changing “Delivery information” to “Delivery and collection” does not require changing the underlying identifier. If you do change it, review links your team has already shared.
Check where each link lands
Test both ways of arriving: click the link within the page, then paste the complete section URL into a fresh browser tab.
Repeat on a phone. Confirm that the heading remains visible beneath any fixed navigation bar, the relevant answer is easy to read, and the next action is nearby.
Use the keyboard as well: move to the link with Tab and activate it with Enter. MDN's anchor-element reference documents this native link behavior.
If the page opens without reaching the section, compare the identifier and link character by character. Also confirm the section exists on the published page.
Frequently asked questions
Are anchor links the same as anchor text?
No. Anchor text is the visible wording of a link. Here, an anchor link means a link targeting a particular place within a page.
Can I link to a section on another website?
Yes, if that page exposes a suitable destination identifier. Use its full address with the fragment, and remember that the website owner can change it.
Why does my jump link land behind the menu?
A fixed header can cover the destination. Ask your provider to adjust the scrolling offset and retest across screen sizes.
Do anchor links create separate webpages?
No. An ordinary section fragment identifies a location within the existing page. It does not create another page with independent content.
Give customers a direct route to answers
Start with one useful section and verify the complete journey. Anchor links work best when the destination answers the question promised by the label. For a business website with a clearer structure, explore Nexlab's website options.