Open in New Page/Stay on Same Browser?

[cmdenny]

Hi, as per another question I hope to do some testing on this going forward, but would be really interested and grateful if people could give their opinion on where a user is sent after clicking on a banner/link.

Do you think it's best to open the operator's site on a new window (thus leaving your affiliate window still open for them to refer to) or simply to have the browser window click straight through to the operator?

Any opinions would be good to hear.

[universal4]

What I do is open all internal links in the same window and all external links in a new window.

I have seen some sites that open all links in a new window and I never stay at a site that does that very long, but I accept the fact that external links will be treated as such.

Rick
Universal4

[CasinoTom]

I think that a new tab/window is the best way to go - having the original site clicked still available for reference is better for the user experience.

Plus - It bugs the crap out of me when I click a link and I lose the original page, I tend to just right-click everything out of habit now. But that's probably just my OCD kicking in.

[baldidiot]

What I do is open all internal links in the same window and all external links in a new window.

Ditto

Plus - It bugs the crap out of me when I click a link and I lose the original page, I tend to just right-click everything out of habit now. But that's probably just my OCD kicking in.

Also ditto

[davemerry]

I do exactly the same as the above posters.

I very frequently CTRL + Click when going away from a site as I may want to refer back.

[TheGooner]

I default all links to the same window now. Opening up affiliate links in a new window is losing money IMO - due to the number of popup blockers.

People that want something in a new tab or window can right click and open in a new window or tab if they want.

[universal4]

Interesting Gooner.

How long ago did you start defaulting to that and did stats show that it was a good immediate move or ??

Bytheway, glad to see you posting was hoping you were ok etc...don't think I had seen posts from you for a few days...

Rick
Universal4

[cmdenny]

Cheers for the replies. Looking arouund most affiliates choose to "open in new window" - but funnily as a web surfer I prefer to stay in the same window. I like to surf using tabs and it's frustrating having various view panes open.

[baldidiot]

I default all links to the same window now. Opening up affiliate links in a new window is losing money IMO - due to the number of popup blockers.

People that want something in a new tab or window can right click and open in a new window or tab if they want.

I thought new pages opened because of target="_blank" links weren't affected by a pop up blocker? I know that the links on my site just open in a new tab and the pop up blocker never gets involved. I could be wrong though...

[davemerry]

I thought new pages opened because of target="_blank" links weren't affected by a pop up blocker? I know that the links on my site just open in a new tab and the pop up blocker never gets involved. I could be wrong though...

Hmmm... I set my links to open in new tabs as well. However thinking about what Gooner said a few times in the past whilst I have been surfing a link which I clicked has caused the default pop up blocker to come into action - when I say a few, I mean I spend every day on the internet and maybe once per 6 weeks this happens.

Maybe there is a certain criteria for what is blocked, for examples links opened in new windows using javascript functions. I'm not sure however I'll certainly be considering this question more carefully now.

[Zoorana]

Interesting question. I was asking myself the same thing when i first started. And like Rick, i had all internal links open on the same page and all external links on a new page. I figured this was the right thing to do.

But now that TheGooner mentioned popup blockers, i'm not sure which one's best to have. I'm confused. Could someone enlightened me please?

[FictionNet]

What I do is open all internal links in the same window and all external links in a new window.

This is the correct answer.

[Buddy M]

What I do is open all internal links in the same window and all external links in a new window.

I have seen some sites that open all links in a new window and I never stay at a site that does that very long, but I accept the fact that external links will be treated as such.

Ditto for me as wll.

[AussieDave]

Maybe there is a certain criteria for what is blocked, for examples links opened in new windows using javascript functions.

Some affiliates use javascript to hide their aff links. If part of that script actions a new window, this may trigger a pop-up blocker.

However I've never seen a target=_blank in a standard hyperlink action a pop-up blocker and I've been online since 95'.

Like most SEO topics, ocassionally target=_blank becomes someone's spring board claiming it affects rankings.
If that was true, the majority of affiliates would be broke as a result of crap serps.

I accept the fact that external links will be treated as such.

Me too!



Cheers



Dave

[TheGooner]

Ladies & Gents,

I understand what you are saying - and most of it makes good sense ... but ...

My personal experience is that what YOU think should happen does not always happen especially once you leave the safe cocoon of your own personal computer systems, due to the vast number of different systems, toolbars, blockers, browsers and user settings.

Let me explain ...

AS I wander around the world I make it a habit to check my own websites using all sorts of systems, from web cafes, to corporate systems, airports, hotels, friend mobile phones, even my parents PCs. I've checked thousands of systems.

You would be amazed at the wide variance of browsing experience, particularly with all the different toolbars out there, that can have some quite draconian settings as to what constitutes a pop-up that should be blocked. Like me you will do testing - but I'm sure you know that you will never have even tested 50% of possible combinations of system setup.

It's those stupid 3rd party toolbars that cause the most problems, you know - zynga - mafia wars - stumbleupon - or any of 1000 different little applications that your potential customers just happens to like - that you've never seen. I do not want to block ONE affiliate page - let alone 1% or maybe even more (who knows?).

Then there are the other obvious issues to consider :
How do you think a mobile phone user reacts to a popped window even if it loads?
What about a user who is not as experienced as you?
Did they even notice the window pop up behind the main window?

I want to make it as easy as possibly to get a signup - and lets face it when someone clicks though on an affiliate link - I WANT THEIR FULL ATTENTION ON THE RESULTING LANDING PAGE. So I load my money links into the _top page

For me it's simple :
- load everything in the main window
- novice users will see what they clicked
- and let experienced users right click and choose (new window - new tab) if they want to do so.

----

This is just one mans opinion of course - and only based on my personal observations - but I'm happy with my signup rates and believe that I have removed a potential barrier that exists on SOME users systems.

[FictionNet]

I thought this thread was going to be predictable, It's been anything but and Gooner, that was a f**knig brilliant post. I do have some more input but I'm drunk and stoned so I'll come back later when it'll make more sense.

[baldidiot]

I thought this thread was going to be predictable, It's been anything but and Gooner, that was a f**knig brilliant post. I do have some more input but I'm drunk and stoned so I'll come back later when it'll make more sense.

It's 2pm!

Lol.

[FictionNet]

It's 2pm!

Lol.

It sort of is - I ain't slept yet

[baldidiot]

It sort of is - I ain't slept yet

The benefits of being an affiliate

[jarvi]

Some very good points being raised and I to and fro on this subject. I'm sure all those browser add-ons can cause issues and they are impossible to test thoroughly. That said, I guess you have to be confident that you have pre-sold the visitor and the casino/sportsbook/etc can do their job to get the signup. Because, just like you may miss some because of popups blockers, won't you also miss some if you open in the same window, they don't like the look of the casino/sportsbook/etc and don't bother to come back to your site for more options?

Has anyone seen a study on user's behaviour with the right click/command click and also the use of the back button? I tried searching and come up with nothing.

I guess with text links you can put two links. eg One with the anchor text of the place you are sending them and one maybe in brackets afterwards that says "Open in new window".