When to use “open in a new window” for your links

Maybe you have seen it, maybe not. The little box that shows when adding links to your website asks “open in a new window”.
You have probably ignored it because you are a bit unsure how to use it. But after reading this post, you will never hesitate again.

My first website

On the first website that I had for my photography business, ALL my links were opened in new windows.

Let me repeat that. ALL LINKS!

If you clicked to view my services – new window – if you clicked to see my prices – new window – if you continued to my gallery – new window – if you opened a gallery, yes you are right – a new window opened up.

Can you just imagine how many browser tabs were opened after a visit to my website!? 

Well, they say that time makes you wiser and today I know how to use the “open in a new window” feature correctly. 

In fact. I see this feature is quite unused, maybe just because it’s difficult to know what difference it makes?

I’m here to explain it all to you! 

If we start at the other end.
When you get visitors to your site, you don’t want them to disappear, you want them to stay at your site as long as possible.

If you then have a link that goes to another website than yours, it could be to your social media accounts, affiliate links, vendors, etc, it’s very easy for your visitors to stay at any of those pages instead, with a risk that they forget about you and your website. 

If the link to this external page was opened in a new window, your website will still be opened and act as a reminder for your visitor. 

But don’t make my mistake and have all links open in new windows, that is just annoying and are just unnecessary as the visitor still is at your site.

When to use “open in a new window” for your links

THE LINK RULE:

– Internal links open should be opened in the same window

– External links should ALWAYS be opened in new windows

The only exception

When writing a blog and you in the text refer to another blog post or resource of YOURS, then you also should use the “open in a new window” feature.

Because in this scenario the second page that opens up will be something that will be an extension of the existing page or, it will open up as a reminder to read after done with the first page.

Just put yourself into the same scenario, when you read a text and there is a link to something else you would like to read. It can be a bit stressful as you want to continue reading that you started but don’t want to forget that link.
The same thing, if you go for that link, you don’t want to forget where you started.

read more…

• Read about SEO for Photographers and Wedding planners here.
• Learn how your can optimize your Instagram Bio here. 
• And here you can read about the importance of having an Email List

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