Opening links in a new window
 

Is it worth while to open links in a new window, or should I just allow the surfer to browse as is.

I know that its potentially ($$$) better to have them open a new window.

But do surfers like this?

Prove it!

A wise Green man once said... "I only need one window to surf"

DD

I don't think surfers really have a problem with it, and many big sites open links in a new window. If you wanted to offer both to your surfers, you could just put an extra "NW" link by all your site listings and make that a "new window" link option. :)

Browsers have tabs now. Before tabs new windows were sometimes useful but now they are just annoying. Then again some surfers do like them. Why not just give them a choice?

if open links in new window you won't get listed i think. but if you manage to list it does work better cause i have tried it.

If someont wants to view in a new window, im sure they know that a mouse has 2 buttons

Not all browsers have tabs. I'm a webmaster, and none of my default browsers have tabs. Granted, I'm a lazy old fart - but, I'm a webmaster. I reckon many (if not most) non-webmasters are still using non-tabbed browsers as well.

Personally, I have a particular set of expectations for when a new window should be opened:

If I'm reading a forum, I expect outbound links to open a new window....

...and, I guess that's pretty much it, now that I think of it. Hmm, go figure.

I use NW in my hubs. If surfer don't like the page/site/gallery they open they shut it and they are back in my hub and they can click a new link.

In my free sites I never use it, LLs don't like it. Perfect way to get declined.

Think the only reason to popup is if you know the surfer will want to return to the original page when it might take a long time to load. Perfect example is thumb tgps / mgps whose pages take a long time to load even on broadband.

Sometimes, it has nothing to do with load-time. It can be a matter of convenience. You might want both windows open to enhance your overall experience -- like when you click a link on this forum.

When it comes to text tgps, link lists, galleries, free sites, I think it's best not to popup windows.