What is a Sitewide Link?

A link that appears across all pages of a site (e.g., footer links).

I know you are always looking for smart ways to boost your website’s authority and make key pages easy to find. There is one powerful linking feature that is built into almost every website, but you need to know how to use it right. I am here to share my expert secrets on a classic SEO element. Let us figure out What is a Sitewide Link? and how to use it safely and effectively for better user experience and SEO.

What is a Sitewide Link? The Always-On Connector

What is a Sitewide Link? It is a hyperlink that appears consistently on every single page of a website. You usually find these links in the main navigation menu, the footer, or the sidebar. These links are important because they instantly guide users to your most important pages, no matter where they enter your site.

The Fine Line on SEO Value

In the past, people tried to use sitewide links to trick Google into thinking a page was super important, but that does not work anymore. Google is smart and often discounts the SEO value of repeated, non-contextual links. However, using internal sitewide links helps Google discover and prioritize your most important pages, like your ‘About Us’ or ‘Contact’ page.

Sitewide Links and Your CMS Platform

Every CMS platform makes it easy to add sitewide links because they are essential for site navigation. Your CMS handles the core placement of these links, but you must control the text and relevance. I always recommend placing links only where they enhance the user experience.

Managing Sitewide Links on Specific Platforms

WordPress, Shopify, Wix, and Webflow all have simple ‘Menu’ or ‘Footer’ editors where you manage sitewide links. For external sitewide links, like a link to your web designer, you may want to manually add a “nofollow” tag. This tells search engines not to pass authority through that link, avoiding any potential penalty risk. Custom CMS systems require a developer to modify the code templates for the header or footer to update these links globally.

Sitewide Link Strategy Across Industries

The correct use of What is a Sitewide Link? differs based on the industry and its main navigational goals.

Ecommerce

Ecommerce sites must use internal sitewide links in the main navigation for primary product categories and checkout pages. I recommend using the footer for policy pages like ‘Shipping Info’ and ‘Returns Policy’. This structure ensures key transactional pages are accessible from anywhere, improving conversions.

Local Businesses

Local businesses should use sitewide links to ensure the ‘Contact Us’ page, which often contains location details, is in the header. They should also link to their main service pages from a consistent navigation menu. This makes it easy for potential customers to find the information they need fast.

SaaS (Software as a Service)

SaaS companies should use sitewide links for the main marketing pages like ‘Pricing,’ ‘Features,’ and ‘Request a Demo.’ I often place these high-intent links in the header for maximum visibility. The footer is perfect for linking to ‘Documentation’ or ‘API’ pages.

Blogs

For a blog, sitewide links are best used to promote main topic categories or a ‘Start Here’ page for new readers. I advise keeping the main navigation clean and moving secondary links, like ‘Sitemap’ or ‘Careers,’ to the footer. This ensures readers can easily explore your best content.

FAQ: Sitewide Link Safety and Value

Are sitewide links good for SEO?

Yes, for internal linking, they are great for guiding user navigation and passing link equity to important pages. For external links, Google often discounts their SEO value and I recommend using them sparingly.

What is the difference between an internal and external sitewide link?

An internal sitewide link points to another page on your own website, like your ‘About’ page. An external sitewide link points to a completely different website, like a partner’s site.

When should I use the ‘nofollow’ tag on a sitewide link?

I recommend using ‘nofollow’ on any external sitewide link that is not a clear, natural editorial endorsement, such as links to a paid sponsor or a web designer credit. This avoids any risk of a penalty.

Will an old, bad sitewide link hurt my current SEO?

If you find an old, spammy external site linking to you sitewide, Google is likely discounting it already. However, I suggest you try to get it removed or use the Disavow Tool in Google Search Console as a safety measure.