How to Cite a Website in APA 7th Edition (With Examples)
Proper citation is the backbone of academic integrity, yet many Kenyan students struggle with citing websites correctly in their thesis proposals. Whether you’re referencing a government report, a news article, or an online statistic, getting your APA 7th edition citations right can make the difference between a polished proposal and one that loses marks. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by formatting requirements, our expert team at Proposal Writers Kenya is here to help you every step of the way.
The Basic APA 7th Website Citation Format
Before diving into the details, here’s the core formula you’ll use for most website citations:
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of webpage. Site Name. URL
Let’s break down each component to ensure your citations are flawless.
Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your Citation
Step 1: Format the Author(s)
The author’s name follows the same rules as other APA citations: last name first, followed by initials.
Individual Author:
Horowitz, J. M.
Two Authors:
Smith, J. A., & Jones, B. C.
3–20 Authors:
Pempek, T. A., Yermolayeva, Y. A., & Calvert, S. L.
Group/Corporate Author:
World Health Organization.
No Author:
When no author is listed, move the title of the webpage to the author position.
Swim with whales: An unforgettable wildlife encounter. (2018). Ocean Swim Adventures. http://en.whales.org/encounters/big_whales
⚠️ Important: If the author and site name are the same, omit the site name in the reference.
Step 2: Add the Publication Date
Use the most specific date available for the content you’re citing.
Exact Date:
(2024, March 15)
Year Only:
(2022)
No Date:
(n.d.)
⚠️ Critical Warning: Never use the website’s copyright date from the footer—it often refers to the site as a whole, not the specific webpage content.
Step 3: Write the Title of the Webpage
The title should be:
Italicized
Written in sentence case (only first word and proper nouns capitalized)
Example: Academic, emotional concerns outweigh COVID-19 risks in parents’ views about keeping schools open
Step 4: Include the Site Name
The site name identifies the larger platform or organization hosting the content.
Format: Site Name.
Example: Pew Research Center.
When to omit: If the author and site name are identical, omit the site name.
United Nations Global Compact. (2020). Endorse the women’s empowerment principles. https://www.unglobalcompact.org/take-action/action/womens-principles
Step 5: Add the URL
Include the full URL with the https:// protocol.
Retrieval Date: Only include when citing content likely to change (e.g., social media profiles, dictionary entries).
NSW Government Health. (n.d.). NSW Health organisation chart. Retrieved January 24, 2020, from https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/about/nswhealth/Pages/chart.aspx
Complete Reference Examples by Scenario
| Scenario | Reference Example |
|---|---|
| Individual author, exact date | Horowitz, J. M. (2022, February 4). Academic, emotional concerns outweigh COVID-19 risks in parents’ views about keeping schools open. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2022/02/04/academic-emotional-concerns-outweigh-covid-19-risks-in-parents-views-about-keeping-schools-open/ |
| Group author, no date | DevelopmentWA. (n.d.). Yagan Square. https://developmentwa.com.au/projects/redevelopment/yagan-square/overview |
| No author, no date | Swim with whales: An unforgettable wildlife encounter. (2018). Ocean Swim Adventures. http://en.whales.org/encounters/big_whales |
| Author and site name same | United Nations Global Compact. (2020). Endorse the women’s empowerment principles. https://www.unglobalcompact.org/take-action/action/womens-principles |
| Content likely to change | NSW Government Health. (n.d.). NSW Health organisation chart. Retrieved January 24, 2020, from https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/about/nswhealth/Pages/chart.aspx |
In-Text Citation Rules
When you refer to a website source within your text, follow these formatting rules:
| Type | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Paraphrase (narrative) | Author (Year) | Horowitz (2022) indicated that parents were more concerned about… |
| Paraphrase (parenthetical) | (Author, Year) | … a recent study found significant concerns (Horowitz, 2022). |
| Direct quote | (Author, Year, section name, para. X) | (Horowitz, 2022, “Emotional Concerns” section, para. 3) |
| No author (narrative) | “Title” (Year) | “Swim with Whales” (2018) suggests that… |
| No author (parenthetical) | (“Title shortened”, Year) | … are among the activities (“Swim with Whales,” 2018). |
Special Scenarios
Citing an Entire Website
No reference list entry is required. Simply provide the URL in parentheses within the text.
Apple is one of the most visited consumer technology websites in the world (https://www.apple.com).
Citing a News Website Article
Use the same format as a standard webpage, including the full date (Year, Month Day). This applies to online news sources like BBC, CNN, or The Standard that don’t have a daily newspaper counterpart.
Thannoo, J., & Collins, A. (2023, October 2). Echidnas communicating with each other recorded for first time by Curtin University researchers. ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-02/echidnas-communicating-with-each-other-recorded-curtin-university/102920798
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| ❌ Mistake | ✅ Correct Approach |
|---|---|
| Using the website’s copyright date from the footer | Use the publication date of the specific webpage |
| Including “Retrieved from” before the URL unnecessarily | Only include when a retrieval date is needed |
| Not italicizing the webpage title | Always italicize webpage titles |
| Omitting the site name when author is different | Include site name for clarity |
| Using title case for webpage titles | Use sentence case |
| Including a retrieval date for stable content | Only use for content likely to change |
| Including the site name when it is the same as the author | Omit duplicate site name |
Quick Reference Checklist
Before submitting your thesis proposal, run through this checklist:
✅ Author name(s) formatted correctly (or title moved to author position)
✅ Correct publication date or (n.d.) if none available
✅ Webpage title is italicized in sentence case
✅ Site name is included (unless same as the author)
✅ Full URL with
https://protocol✅ Retrieval date included ONLY if content is likely to change
Conclusion
Mastering APA 7th edition website citations is essential for producing a credible, well-polished thesis proposal. By following the steps and examples outlined in this guide, you’ll avoid common citation errors that cost students valuable marks. However, if you’re still feeling confused about formatting, referencing, or any other aspect of your thesis proposal, you don’t have to navigate it alone.
At Proposal Writers Kenya, we specialize in helping students like you craft flawless thesis proposals. Our expert writers are well-versed in all referencing styles and Kenyan university guidelines. Whether you need help with Chapter One, a comprehensive literature review, data analysis, or formatting your entire proposal, contact us today for a free consultation and let us take the stress out of your academic journey.