Buttons vs. Links

Web buttons and links: a seemingly simple topic, yet a frequent source of confusion. Countless articles explore their differences and proper usage, and for good reason! This common web design mistake warrants constant reiteration.

The core distinction boils down to intent:

• Navigate to a new URL? Use a link (<a href="">...</a>).
• Trigger on-page interaction? Use a button (<button></button>).
• Anything else? Proceed with extreme caution and a clear understanding of the implications.

Eric Eggert's insightful article highlights the importance of this distinction: reliable user interfaces are crucial for easy navigation. Choosing the correct HTML element directly impacts user experience.

Manuel Matuzović's humorous Button Cheat Sheet underscores the superiority of the <button></button> element. He even links to Marcy Sutton's entertaining "Links vs. Buttons Showdown" video, a mock battle showcasing the functional differences between links and buttons (one triggered by spacebar, the other by Enter). The need for widespread understanding of this fundamental concept is, frankly, astounding.

¹ Our comprehensive guide, "A Complete Guide to Links and Buttons," offers a beginner-friendly explanation of this topic. However, the sheer volume of existing beginner-level content necessitates a high bar for impact and SEO visibility. This article aims for a more in-depth exploration of the underlying technical aspects of links and buttons. If you share a passion for this type of technical writing, please reach out!

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