a tag vs button tag

When should you use which? TL;DR use <a> for links, <button> for JS functions.

Key Differences Between <a> and <button>

Purpose and Semantics

• Navigation vs. Action:

  • <a>: Primarily for navigation. It directs users to a new page, a different section on the same page, or a downloadable resource.

  • <button>: Used for actions. It performs tasks such as submitting forms, triggering scripts, or toggling UI components.

Accessibility and User Expectations

• Link Behavior:

  • <a>: Recognized by users and assistive technologies as a link. It can be activated by clicking or using the keyboard (Enter key).

  • <button>: Recognized as a button. It can be activated by clicking or using the keyboard (Space or Enter key).

Why Use <a> Instead of <button> for Links

1. Correct Semantics: Using <a> for navigation adheres to the semantic purpose of HTML tags. It helps browsers and assistive technologies understand and present the page correctly.

   • Example: If you want users to go to another page or section, use <a> to make it clear that this is a navigational link.

2. Built-In Functionality: <a> tags inherently support features like right-clicking to open in a new tab, bookmarking, and link focus styles, which users expect from navigational elements.

   • Example: Users can right-click an <a> link to open it in a new tab, but a <button> would require extra JavaScript to achieve similar behavior.

3. Accessibility: Screen readers and other assistive technologies recognize <a> as a link, making it easier for users to understand its purpose. This aids in providing a consistent user experience for all users.

   • Example: A user using a screen reader would understand an <a> as a link to navigate somewhere, whereas a <button> may be interpreted as performing an action rather than navigation.

4. SEO Benefits: Search engines understand <a> tags as links and use them to crawl and index web pages, improving the SEO of your site. <button> elements do not provide the same linking structure for search engines.

   • Example: Internal and external links created with <a> tags are essential for SEO, helping search engines discover and rank your pages.

Examples

Using <a> for Navigation

<a href="page.html" class="button" target="_blank">other page</a>

Using <a> for Separate Websites

<a href="https://example.com" target="_blank">Visit Example.com</a>

Using <button> for Actions

<button class="button" onclick="submitForm()">Submit Form</button>