Open in new window or same window?

[kid disco]

I hope I'm under the correct topic... I didn't think there was a better one to post in. So if I'm off, I apologize...

I was wondering what everybody thinks about having outside websites or certain pages of the same website open in a new window or the same window.

I've seen authority websites/blogs have outside sites open in the same window (taking over the website). I would normally have outside websites open in a new window so that my website is still open behind it.

With the pop-up blockers, I understand that links that open in new windows are normally blocked. So, in order to insure that links always open, one should have them open in the same window. On the other hand, if this happens, the user "loses" the original website.

Any thoughts? Does this make sense?... :confused:

[rustybrick]

With the pop-up blockers, I understand that links that open in new windows are normally blocked.

Nope. Those are JavaScript automated pop ups that are blocked, not windows that are opened with target="_blank" or "_new"

And for search engines, it doesnt matter if your using a simple a href link.

[kid disco]

Nope. Those are JavaScript automated pop ups that are blocked, not windows that are opened with target="_blank" or "_new"

Hey rustybrick, I understand that the JavaScript popups are blocked, but I have experienced regular href links such as target="_blank" or "_new" being blocked at times, as well. As far as I know, I just have the Google toolbar pop-up blocker. If I can find some examples, I will PM you.

Has anyone else experienced the same?

[Bill Slawski]

It's always bothered me to have a new window open when clicking a link on a site. I guess that's because the web site author is exercising control over my application in sending me to a new destination with a new window.

I can pretty much do that myself if I wanted. If I want a new window (or tab), I'll often right click and choose that on the context menu. If the original web site is one that I want to have stick around, I'll either choose a new window, or bookmark the page either through favorites, or del.icio.us or another way.

But, I've seen a number of people argue that there's nothing wrong with having a clicked link result in a new window, and that doing so makes it more likely that people will stay at your site longer. And they've presented persuasive arguments.

My response to those arguments ususally begins and ends with the use of the word "confident," as in "How confident do you feel that if someone clicks a link on your site, that they will come back to your pages?" If you don't feel very confident that people will return to your site after visiting a resource that you point to, does it make a difference whether you send them away in a new window, or the same one that your site is framed within?

Rather than spending the time filling a site with "href links such as target='_blank' or '_new'" I'd rather be working on ways to get people to say to themselves "What a great site - defnitely one I want to return to." :)

[rustybrick]

Listen to the post above, he knows his stuff.

[Marty]

I advice you to leave open a link in the same window. It's more comfortable for users, which are disgusted of too many browsers window on theirs pc.

But I advice you to open an advertising (banners, etc.) link in new window, that's good practise from past and users are habituated on it.

[kid disco]

Great points, Bill! However...

It's always bothered me to have a new window open when clicking a link on a site

It's always bothered me to have to click back to the original site, especially when the site that took over the same window is not what I anticipated or contains scripts (? or something) that does not allow the back button to function properly. (This is just a point I'm making... I would never allow something like this to occur on my sites.)

Also, I (personally) would rather close a new window rather than click the back button to get to the original page. (Just my own opinion.)

If you don't feel very confident that people will return to your site after visiting a resource that you point to, does it make a difference whether you send them away in a new window, or the same one that your site is framed within?

As for confidence... I think I may be lacking confidence in the users themselves. There are still many people that do not know how to use the "right-click" among other simple things. I'm afraid that it is these type of users who may have difficulty navigating their way back to the original site if they are browsing through another site that takes over the same window. (Is this too small of a demographic to be concerned about?)

Rather than spending the time filling a site with "href links such as target='_blank' or '_new'" I'd rather be working on ways to get people to say to themselves "What a great site - defnitely one I want to return to."

OK, GREAT POINT :)

[gabs]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is the type of user's..

I love using my parents for research as they don't even know about the back and forward browser buttons :eek:

Most of my sites and my clients site run a external link new window method..


My parents even have problems remembering their own website domain (I had to put it their Fav's)

Savvy or non savvy target audience?

[seo-ireland]

You could try adding the 'new window icon' beside the link like you see on some sites. At least this would give the user an option to choose. Example: http://dir.yahoo.com/Society_and_Culture/Home_and_Garden/Lawn_and_Garden/Chats_and_Forums/

[Marty]

You could try adding the 'new window icon' beside the link

That's probably the best opinion of all, but how many users know, what does this icon mean and how many users does use this...

[seo-ireland]

I know what it means but still I never use it. It's always CTRL+click for me in Firefox.