What web design mistake?
It seems logical to open external links in new browser windows to keep visitors from leaving your blog/site, so that they return later on. However, this is a web design mistake that should be avoided. While others still don’t realize that this is a mistake, many bloggers who made this mistake when they first started out, have changed.
Why is this a mistake?
This method of getting visitors to return to your site defeats its own purpose, because most web users are accustomed to utilizing the back button to return to a site instead of closing a window. Most importantly, it ruins the user experience by opening several windows and polluting their screens. By not setting external links to open in new browser windows, the visitor has the choice of opening links in any way he/she may want. It’s a privilege that should be not taken away from the visitor.
Why haven’t I noticed this mistake earlier?
A reason is that I don’t navigate my own blog like visitors usually do, but the main reason is that I set my browser to open new pages in new tabs instead of new windows. So, external links would open in new tabs, which is not that bad. By the way, these are not excuses, I apologize for making this mistake.
For the bloggers , have you ever made a web design mistake before?
most tabbed browsers force target=”_blank” links to open in a new tab, so it’s not as big a deal, except for IE6 users without google/yahoo/msn toolbars
Nice post bro. I’ll be fixing this on WPCandy when I redesign it :)
And I just picked up the RSS Feed, so I’ll be expecting more good posts :)
Hey Adam,
I’m not 100% sure, but I think that the default setting for most tabbed browsers still open target=”_blank” links in new windows instead of tabs, even though it can be changed in the settings.
Hey Michael,
thanks for subscribing. I’m already subscribed to WP Candy. (:
This is definitely one of those things you must do. Get rid of those darn new windows. I personally don’t know of anyone that uses the Internet who doesn’t know what the back button is for. The more control users have over their own Web experience, the happier they’ll be. I’ve left sites and never came back because of this (especially if I wasn’t sure if I wanted to stick around yet) and have made the same Web design mistake myself.
Pingback: Weekly Roundup #8: A list of noteworthy feeds, blogs, sites, and articles
I’ve got to throw in my “I agree” vote as well.
I do find myself opening up extra tabs quite a bit, but FF makes it pretty easy by letting me click on a link with the center button and opening the link in a new tab. That said, I don’t want to be forced to open a new window if I don’t want to.
Pingback: Aviation of Business » Blog Archive » Should links open new windows, or not?