Amazon advice sought

best to have window open in same or new window?

[skunker]

When doing Amazon links, is it best to have the link OPEN a new window or keep the user in the same window?

[ronin]

Whichever the user prefers.

[shri]

Same window. A lot of the popup blockers might not allow new windows to open up.

[onlineleben]

Same window.
Tried different approaches but this turns out to bring in the most sales.

[jomaxx]

I doubt any popup blocker would prevent links from opening in a new window. But anyway I've tested both styles at various times and it seems to be basically a wash (no significant difference) when you factor in everything.

[Fairla]

I agree with Onlineleben, people seem to prefer having it open in the same window. Maybe because that way they can easily click back to your site if they decide not to proceed at Amazon.

[ronin]

Just for the record, I get very frustrated with sites that open external links over the top of themselves - I'd so much rather have a new window. (I recognise that that's probably an atypical preference). >;->

[Richard Overvold]

A lot of the popup blockers might not allow new windows to open up.

Nope, popup blockers WILL allow these windows to open. The only windows the get blocked are the ones not activated by the user.

[Pibs]

My pop-up blocker allows the instant purchase Amazon window, because it's a window, albeit a small one.

Actual pop-ups don't have scroll-bars and so on but the fact you clicked something makes no difference - it will pop the pop-up. That's why my current software, and the software I used to use in the UK, had the option of suspending the popping, because some sites use them when you click on something..

P.

[webmastertexas]

I always open a new window, since it's been drilled into my head that you NEVER want the visitor to leave your page, even to browse a product. He might not come back! So, opening a new window allows him to browse, then he could just close and viola, there would be your page for him to continue on his merry way. At least this seems to work for me.

[Richard Overvold]

Have you ever considered using an "exit frame" like Hotmail does? That way you can have a "Return to YOURSITE" link in that frame.

[webmastertexas]

>>Have you ever considered using an "exit frame" like Hotmail does? That way you can have a "Return to YOURSITE" link in that frame. <<

Personally I HATE it when sites toss me into frames, the way Jeeves does it. I just HATE it.

[testike]

<<I always open a new window, since it's been drilled into my head that you NEVER want the visitor to leave your page, even to browse a product. He might not come back!>>

If the user likes your page he/she will come back!

[shri]

>> If the user likes your page he/she will come back!

No they wont. People have short term memories.

If they really like your page they'll book mark it. One of our stats shows that they bookmark pages within 30 seconds of visiting. Even a bookmark is not an assurance that the visitor will come back.

[DavidT]

12Ghosts pop up blocker, for one, blocks everything, you have to hold down Ctrl as you click to let a new window open. I thought this was standard among pop up blockers.

[Procyon]

>> "I thought this was standard among pop up blockers."<<

PopUpCop doesn't require you to hold CTRL. However, that's the only program I've used so I don't know about the others.

[sean]

you NEVER want the visitor to leave your page

At least offer your visitors a special link giving them permission to use the restroom. :-)

Seriously, if I am doing my job, the most-clicked links will also have the highest conversion rates, so there are diminishing returns for people hanging around and clicking all my links, which becomes fairly unlikely with more than a handful of links.