Follow these simple steps to add a link to text on a WordPress page or post.
Step 1: Log in to WordPress
Log in to your website’s WordPress dashboard using your username and password.
Step 2: Open the Page or Post
In the menu on the left-hand side, select either:
- Pages if you want to edit an existing page.
- Posts if you want to edit a news article or blog post.
Find the page or post you want to change and click Edit.
Step 3: Find the Text You Want to Link
Click into the paragraph containing the text you want to turn into a link.
If you haven’t already written the text, you can type it now.
For example: “Download our latest newsletter to find out what’s happening.”
You might want to turn the words “Download our latest newsletter” into a clickable link.
Step 4: Highlight the Text
Use your mouse to highlight the words you want visitors to click.
You don’t need to highlight the entire sentence, just the words that will form the link. Ensure that you highlight full words and don’t miss any letters out.
Step 5: Click the Link Button
Once you’ve highlighted your text, a small toolbar should appear above it.
Look for the Link button, which usually looks like a small chain:
NOTE: The exact toolbar may look slightly different depending on your WordPress installation.
Click the Link button to open the link settings.
Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + K (or Cmd + K on a Mac).
Step 6: Enter Your Link
A small box will appear, allowing you to enter the destination for your link.
There are several ways to do this.
Linking to Another Page on Your Website
- Start typing the name of the page you want to link to.
- WordPress may suggest existing pages and posts from your website.
- Click the correct page from the suggestions to select it.
- Alternatively, you can paste the full website address into the box.
Linking to Another Website
Copy the full website address from your browser and paste it into the link box.
For example: https://www.example.com/
Make sure you include the complete address, including https://
Linking to a Document
If you’ve already uploaded a PDF, Word document or another file to your Media Library, you can link to it in exactly the same way.
Simply copy the document’s File URL from the Media Library and paste it into the link box.
For example, you might link the words Download Application Form to a Word document that visitors can download and complete.
To find out how to upload documents and find their URL, see our guide: How to Upload a Document to WordPress
Step 7: Apply the Link
Once you’ve entered or selected your destination, press Enter or click the Apply button if one is shown.
Your selected text should now appear as a link.
Depending on your website’s design, it may appear in a different colour, be underlined or both.
Step 8: Save Your Changes
When you’ve finished editing the page or post, click Update in the top-right corner of the WordPress editor.
If you’re working on a new page or post, the button may say Publish instead.
Your changes will now be saved.
Step 9: Check Your Link
Visit the page on your website and click the link to make sure it takes you to the correct destination.
It’s always worth checking links after making changes, particularly when linking to external websites or downloadable documents.
Editing or Removing an Existing Link
You can also change or remove a link without deleting the text.
Changing a Link
- Open the page or post in the WordPress editor.
- Click the text containing the link.
- Click the link preview or Edit Link button, usually represented by a pencil icon.
- Enter or select the new destination.
- Apply the change and click Update to save your page.
Removing a Link
If you no longer want the text to be clickable:
- Click the linked text.
- Click the Unlink button, usually represented by a broken chain.
- Click Update to save your changes.
The text will remain in place, but it will no longer be a clickable link.
A Few Helpful Tips
Use descriptive link text
Rather than using phrases such as “click here”, try to make the purpose of your link clear.
For example, “View our latest newsletter” is more useful than “Click here”.
This helps visitors understand where the link will take them and makes your website easier to use for people using screen readers.
Opening links in a new tab
WordPress allows you to choose whether a link opens in the current browser tab or a new one.
To change this setting, click the link in the editor and look for the option labelled Open in new tab. Depending on your WordPress version, this may be found under the link’s additional settings.
You might choose to open an external website in a new tab, although this is not always necessary. Links to other pages on your own website are generally best opened in the current tab.
Make document links clear
When linking to a document, consider mentioning the file format.
For example: “Download our Membership Application Form (Word document)”
This lets visitors know what to expect when they click the link.
Check your links regularly
Pages and documents can sometimes be moved, renamed or deleted.
If a link no longer works, visitors may encounter a “Page Not Found” error.
Regularly checking important links helps keep your website useful and easy to navigate.