You're losing potential sales by not doing this one thing
Your readers may be jumping ship (your website) and you don't even realize it.
When I was going to college to get my Bachelor Degree in Internet Marketing (trust me when I say, you can learn it all here at WA without the high cost), my favorite class was Web Usability.
There is nothing more frustrating than a website that doesn't allow you to perfrom basic tasks or things that are broken or just don't make sense. People will click off that site quicker than a lion going after dinner.
The book we were required to read was "Don't Make me Think" A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability by Steve Krug. Boy did this book open my eyes to usability and how people use website.
Of course we have come a long way since then and he has a new book out that goes into usability on the tablets and smartphones.
There are so many different aspects to a website but this one common thing I keep seeing over and over again and I just wanted to share this little tip with my WA family.
Whenever you are linking to another website (meaning you are not linking to a page/post within your own website) please, please, please use the OPEN LINK IN NEW TAB option.
Why is it Important to Open Link in New Tab?
We've all been on a website that links off to another site and will open in the SAME window.
How do you know it opened in the same window? Great Question!
What happens, is your reader is reading along on your site, they come across a link that may send them off to Amazon, here to Wealthy Affiliate or another informative website but when they are done with that site, they close it out and guess what??? They essentially close out YOUR website as well.
From here they can use the Back button and alot of people will do that but do you really want to chance them using that button or would you just like them to continue on with your site?
Chances are they don't even remember the name of your website because you were the first site on Google for that keyword phrase and they were just reading your article, paying no attention to the site name. But now, your site is closed out and they may not try searching for it again or move on to the next one.
When you choose that "Open Link in New Window/Tab" option for your links, it opens it in a new window and if that reader closes the window Viola, they are still on your site ready to read more of your content.
This is also true for those that are on a smartphone or tablet. It will open up a new tab and if they close that tab they will still be on your website.
How to Open Link in New Window/Tab
Kyle did a great video on how to add affiliate links and in this video he shows you where to set your links to open in a new window or tab.
Here is the video training link: https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/training/how-to-add-affiliate-links
Rememer, this is only for those links that are sending your readers off to another website.
If you are linking within your site, there is no need to use this feature because they will already be on your site.
Oh, I also found another great training on this as well that you can take a look at:
https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/training/open-affiliate-links-in-new-window-tab
Now that I got that off my chest, go have a look at your site. Click around and see if your links are set to open in a new tab or if your readers are being sent to another site and have to use the back button to get back to what they were reading.
Y'all Be Blessed and have a great weekend!
Audrey
Recent Comments
12
Thanks for such a useful post! It is a common a rookie mistake - all the more reason to go through the training very carefully. One may tend to miss it(haste makes waste!) only to regret it months or years later when they find out how much traffic they have been losing all the while.
That's a great book you've mentioned but there is a more recent version of it now. "Don't Make Me Think, Revisited: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability" is quintessentially the same book but with useful updates, including examples pertaining to mobiles and tabs.
I've actually made the same mistake and it's one of my biggest pet peeves. lol
As a matter of fact, as I was writing this I noticed one of my blogs in draft mode had a link and I did not set it to open in a new tab.
SMH :)
I noticed he has a new book out with brand new cover and everything.
I would recommend everyone who has a website read this book. It was such an eye-opener and has helped me tremendously with all my websites.
Thanks for the comment and good luck here at WA
Be Blessed,
Audrey
Great point! I've been there - where I forgot the name of the site, and had to remember what I clicked on in Google to even get back to the site.
Me too, Isaiah! I will literally move on to the next thing and forget all about that website.
It just makes sense to keep them on your site as long as possible. It also cuts down on the Bounce Rate in Analytics which is always a great thing too. ;)
Be Blessed,
Audrey
Hi! Thank You for the info. I hope it sticks in my head because I am so new at this that I do not understand. Somehow it makes since to me. Guess that means my brain is receptive after three weeks of 2-6 hrs. days at the library learning to earn. All day WA!
You go, Richard!!!
I know it can be so daunting all this information coming at you and seem so overwhelming but I promise there comes a day when it all just clicks.
Just be sure to take actionable steps every single day to reach your goals. Don't allow paralysis thru analysis to get you as I have in the past.
Just jot this little note to self down and when you link to those websites just remember to make them open in a new tab.
Be Blessed,
Audrey
Great Post and advice Audrey! Yes i van see my self doing this as an user. And I can totally get it! How was not following you already?! So following you...
Thank you
Pablo
Hey Pablo,
Thanks for the follow. I'm now following you back. :)
Just read your profile and can't wait to see that picture of you high on a mountain looking out the window at your daughter.
Be Blessed,
Audrey
See more comments
I always have a new tab open when I use an external link. It is really frustrating when I am on other sites and click on a link and it takes me away from the site I was on. Thanks for getting the word out, a lot of people can benefit from this.
I do the exact same thing, Steve. Especially when I'm working on my site and I want to see how it looks after a change and I don't want to hit that back button.
Love your profile. You truly are a blessed man.
Be Blessed,
Audrey