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Open new window for out going links?

by jkiley
14 replies
I am at the last stages of finishing up a big search engine website, and all it has are out going links. I am wondering if you guys have an advice on, if I should open a new window when user clicks on an out going links (lot of websites do this), or should I just redirect them to that site from the same window? (most websites do this).

Any stats, or experience around this?

thanks
#links #open #window
  • Profile picture of the author Adam Roy
    Always open in a new window. Give them every chance in the world to get what their looking for, as well as staying on your page.

    You build credibility this way.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brad Gosse
    I always try to open outgoing links in a new window. Keep my site in the background in case they had something to finish.
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  • Profile picture of the author Shaun Lee
    I'd say it depends on your visitor demographics.

    The best way to determine this is to split-test it though.

    -Shaun
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  • Profile picture of the author Quentin
    Google lets us choose ourselves which puts all the power in the users hands and thus gives us confidence and a nice feeling.

    Things like this if you can let the user pick and you will find they like you better. You make the decision you are liked by some and piss others off. Give them the choice and you are everyones friend.

    Quentin
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  • Profile picture of the author nick1123
    My outgoing links always open in a new window. I have to ask, in the scheme of things how important is this?
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  • Profile picture of the author chandan_dutta
    My all outgoing links open in new window and internal links in the same window. I think it is better to open outgoing links in new window.
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      For me, it depends on the purpose of the link.

      Is it to offer a secondary resource or additional information, which I want them to check out and then return to my site? Definitely open in a new window.

      Is the link there to move them along in the sales process, such as from an article or blog post to an order page? Redirect, because I don't want them distracted by the nagging feeling of unfinished business on the prior page.

      Figure out your Most Wanted Response as a result of clicking the link and use whichever format best encourages that MWR. Testing will usually tell you which to choose if you're not sure.
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      • Profile picture of the author J23
        Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

        For me, it depends on the purpose of the link.

        Is it to offer a secondary resource or additional information, which I want them to check out and then return to my site? Definitely open in a new window.

        Is the link there to move them along in the sales process, such as from an article or blog post to an order page? Redirect, because I don't want them distracted by the nagging feeling of unfinished business on the prior page.

        Figure out your Most Wanted Response as a result of clicking the link and use whichever format best encourages that MWR. Testing will usually tell you which to choose if you're not sure.
        This is exactly what I was going to say.

        For example, on all my pre-sell pages, if I have an outgoing link to the product above the fold or just anywhere before I've fully pre-sold them, I will always make it open in a new window. Just in case they click it and aren't pre-sold on the product yet and they want to come back to my site to read more about it they can this way.

        However, my links at the bottom of the pre-sell page will always open in the same window to move them along in the sales process and not have an extra window that they can come back to. Same with articles as John mentioned.
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  • Profile picture of the author weaveronline
    Opening it in a new window makes it more User friendly. Also people will get a chance to check the search result again and again.
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  • Profile picture of the author SteveJohnson
    Test, test, and test some more.

    Myself, I get irritated when a link opens a new window (a new tab, since that's the way I have my browser set). If I wanted to open a link in a new tab, I'll do it myself. I find it to be a major pain in the ass when a site opens new tabs for me whenever I click a link. I just have to go through and close them all. Don't try to second-guess my browsing habits and don't misjudge how important your site is (or isn't) to me. If I click a link and find that I've gone away from your site, I'll see my mistake and come back - if it's worth my time to do so.
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  • Profile picture of the author JonAlfredsson
    Hi.. it would be best to open a new window. I think its more convenient for your visitors..
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  • Profile picture of the author jkiley
    Thanks for all the feedback. I think I will give them both options. Click on the link to open in the same window and click on the picture to open in new window. This way, users (who are frequent to the site)...will click their own prefered way.

    Thanks
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    • Profile picture of the author penny_preston
      I've often wondered about this myself. I usually have my outbound links open in a new window but I do know that some people find it irritating to have to close down several tabs.

      My main reason for opening a new window is so my visitor has the option of continuing to explore my site.
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  • Profile picture of the author Online Bliss
    My main reason for opening a new window is so my visitor has the option of continuing to explore my site.
    I agree with using a new window.
    Think of other e-commerce sites who use a button for
    more information, are customers really going to go back to the
    home page after viewing or is it better to have them close a window and keep shopping?

    When you are in line at the Grocery Store they offer all kinds of goodies
    they hope you will purchase before you leave. That's extra money for them, you are not out the door yet!
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