When adding links to websites should you force links in to a new window or leave the visitor to decide? If you do force the link in to a new window should you make it clear that the link will open a new window, either by adding a note at the end of the link or using the title tag or a cover all notice somewhere on the page that says all links open in new windows?
Arguments for:
Forcing the link in to a new window will mean that the visitor will still be able to see your site. If the link you have provided is interesting (the purpose of providing it should be that it is interesting should it not?) then the visitor could be several pages in to the linked site or even on a site linked from the original site and may just close the browser and forget about you. There is an argument for the handy Back button on the browser, but how many times have we clicked though a link and a couple of pages and a link then you are maybe 20 or 30 clicks away from the original site. Yes you could right click on the back button and look for the site in there or go in to your internet history, but how many novice users know about this?
Arguments against:
You are taking the choice away from the visitor. If they want to open the link in a new window or tab there are any number of ways for them to do this.
I’m indifferent as I usually right click and open links in a new tab anyway but what are your views?
/discuss
I’d much prefer if browsers now opened _blank in a new tab rather than a window.
For me external links should open in a new tab/window mostly because I’ll still be reading the page and will come back to the open link once I’ve finished reading.
Matt(Quote) (Reply)
P.S Long live CTRL click (opens in new tab)
Matt(Quote) (Reply)
I ALWAYS set external links to open in a new windows/tab and internal links to open in the same window/tab. Otherwise you are helping to send traffic away from your site, which I think it a bad idea.
Sure, some people know how to open new windows/tabs with the mouse (middle click ahoy!), but many don’t even know this function exists and I’d rather keep them on my site (or at least aware they’re leaving, but can come back by switching tab) then send them away for them never to come back!
James(Quote) (Reply)