You are correct, it only works in server controls. You’ve got these basic options:
Change to HyperLink
to run as a Web Control:
<asp:HyperLink NavigateUrl="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/3077558/~/BusinessOrderInfo/page.aspx" Text="Whatever" runat="server" />
Or, run the anchor on the server side as an HTML Control:
<a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/3077558/~/BusinessOrderInfo/page.aspx" runat="server" >
Or, use Page.ResolveUrl
:
<a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/3077558/<%= Page.ResolveUrl("https://stackoverflow.com/questions/3077558/~/BusinessOrderInfo/page.aspx") %>">...</a>