this is something that has always perplexed me - when people have links on thier site, which point to another site, that do not open in a new browser window/tab, essentially losing users everytime they click an outgoing link.
using this method means breaking one of the cardinal rules of webdesign - do not point users away from your site. but yet people still persist with it.
what do you all make of this?
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Outgoing Links
Started by Stu, Nov 23 2006 07:50 AM
6 replies to this topic
#1
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- Publishing Betazoids
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Posted 23 November 2006 - 07:50 AM
#2
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I Feel Left Out
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Posted 23 November 2006 - 08:49 AM
forgot to add target="_blank" ? 
#3
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Pimpmaster G
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Posted 23 November 2006 - 09:07 AM
Stu, on Nov 23 2006, 07:50 AM, said:
this is something that has always perplexed me - when people have links on thier site, which point to another site, that do not open in a new browser window/tab, essentially losing users everytime they click an outgoing link.
using this method means breaking one of the cardinal rules of webdesign - do not point users away from your site. but yet people still persist with it.
what do you all make of this?
using this method means breaking one of the cardinal rules of webdesign - do not point users away from your site. but yet people still persist with it.
what do you all make of this?
Actually, many professional designers say that no links out of your site should open in a new window, as it's a common reflex to click the back button if you want to return to the original site. It's not a cardinal rule that people use blank windows for outbound, but it's definitely my personal preference.
#4
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Posted 23 November 2006 - 09:39 AM
av: they dont forget it they do it on purpose.
well im just going by what i have read in articles etc. when i say its a cardinal rule. i personally agree with it tbh, as if someone clicks on a link and leaves your site, then gets interested in the new site and starts clicking around, youve lost them. not good if youre trying to sell something on your site really.
im aware some professionals do it, i think someone told me once its also to do with validation but im not sure of that. but why would you want to direct users away from your site? i just dont understand it.
in the end i suppose its down to preference though.
well im just going by what i have read in articles etc. when i say its a cardinal rule. i personally agree with it tbh, as if someone clicks on a link and leaves your site, then gets interested in the new site and starts clicking around, youve lost them. not good if youre trying to sell something on your site really.
im aware some professionals do it, i think someone told me once its also to do with validation but im not sure of that. but why would you want to direct users away from your site? i just dont understand it.
in the end i suppose its down to preference though.
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Jedi In Training
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Posted 23 November 2006 - 11:08 AM
Correct me if I'm way out here but doesn't target="_blank" or any of the targets fail XHTML Strict validation. That way it comes down to validation as well...
#6
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Posted 28 November 2006 - 12:53 AM
I was going to say I agree with you stu but dan has also made a very good point, I still think i would side with stu though just the way i feel about it
#7
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Posted 28 November 2006 - 01:12 AM
I think it just depends on the type of link... if you have a tutorial for example with image thumbs that you click on, they should definitely open in a new window. I don't know many times I accidentally closed the window while approving tutorials when folks open images in the same window. Drives me up the wall lol!
Dan
Dan
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