web link function

[John Dirks Jr]

When you click on a link it does one of two things:

1. It opens a page directly on top of the page where you clicked it.

2. It opens a page in a new window.

Which of these two settings do you think is better? What advantages or dis advantages to you see with either?

Think in terms of your own website and the goal to keep persons there.

[Phillip]

I would go with opening a new window so when they close that link your web site will still be open.

[Michael Brown]

It doesn't always apply but an easy rule usaully is:

internal link = same window

external link = new window

Michael Brown

DevWave Software Inc.

[jon_ran]

I agree with the others. If the link is to another page in your site, open it in the same window. If the link opens an inspection report and you have more info on your site for the different issues discovered during a home inspection, open it in a new window so that your site will still be available.

If the link is to an external site, you want it to open in a new window also. You want to keep people on your site as long as possible. If you allow an external link to open in the same window, you have just driven that customer from your site.

Think of Wal-Mart. You can get an oil change cheap, as little as $19.95. Heck, oil and a filter would cost you about $12-15 and you would have to get dirty doing it yourself. You can be the first copstomer of the day and it will still take 45 minutes to change your oil. Why? The longer that they can keep you at their "site", the more you will likely buy from them.

With that being said, you need to have a professional looking site and try to pack as much information into it as you can. I know that I don't have the best looking site and it could always use more material, but it is a start.