I’ve read a lot of blogs and while I, personally, get in the habit of opening links in a new window (right click, open in new window) because I want to finish what I am reading later, too many don’t and if they don’t, you will lose them. What I mean is when you are writing a blog or page about a topic and maybe source one of your top influencers or cite some article that had the data or survey on it, does your link open in a new window? If not, you just innocently sent your traffic to that source’s page – Yay for them but not for you.
Types of Links
Essentially, there are two types of links, internal and external.
- Internal links are links that take the reader to a different page or blog ON your website.
- These links are typically opened within the same window because it won’t take them from your website and usually folks open the link after they finish reading. However, if they don’t, who cares, they are still on your website, right?
- External links are links that take the reader OFF your website. This might be because you are
citing the source of the article, you want the reader to see a bigger picture of something you just prefaced or it might be a person you want someone to read about.- Either way, these links should open in a new window or the reader will be sent off your site and will have to click back, retype in your address (domain/url) or search for you to find you again. Why are you making them work so hard to find you again?
citing the source of the article, you want the reader to see a bigger picture of something you just prefaced or it might be a person you want someone to read about.So, while this was a short and simple point, I thought it would help to show you what it looks like with a quick video below. This video is how to use links appropriately in WordPress, as it is most widely used, however, you should be able to find yours similarly if you use something other than WordPress.
Take a watch at this quick How To use External Links Properly on Your Website:
Bottom line:
Links are important to your website and your search engine optimization, but don’t mess up that value by sending readers away from your site thus making them work to get back to you!
Use links but do so appropriately so you aren’t losing your traffic by sending them away! Click To TweetShould you have any other questions on my search engine optimization services or for an hourly marketing consult to teach you more tricks on how to optimize your website, please feel free to reach out today!
~Kristen
Excellent information. I’m always careful when linking pages on my blog to open in a new window. Now, I know the value. Thank you!
Excellent Christi and thanks!
Great tips in this article. The video you created is a helpful resource on links in WordPress sites. Glad to know it’s available, so that I can share it with clients and friends who might just be getting started with WordPress or blogging in general.
Thanks Vickie and yes, please share away to help others. I’m glad that you found the value and how it can be valuable to others.
Yay! I have this one down perfectly. I always have a new window open when it is an external link and like you said, don’t worry so much when it is a link on my site, as they are still on my site even if they leave the page. Not sure where I learned this, and actually my theme makes the option easy to implement when I go to hyperlink. I even know the code as well, if I have to program in opening a new window. Very happy to be on target, Kristen, at least with this one topic. It is one less thing I still have to learn or change, Thanks for the lesson today too!
Good Bev, so glad you have this one covered…. and you even know the code.. woot woot, you go girl!
Absolutely! Great tips and I agree 100%.
Awesome, thanks Lisa.
Simple, but very important strategy! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Susan, it is very important.
Great post. This is one I do continually, and I learned it because of not being able to get back to pages that I visited once I clicked a link on their site. Thanks for sharing this.
Thanks Cassandra, and I am like you… I typically right click and open into new tab so I can go to it later and not have to worry about whether it will take me to a new tab/window or same tab/window and if it will redirect me right then and there, ya know?
Really great tips! I remember I used to have lots of links that would lead people to these fabulous resources from my pages and posts until my biz coach said “what are you doing?” Now I’m much more conscious and intentional about sharing and redirecting people from my own awesome content.
Thanks Tanya… so glad that your biz coach gave you solid advice… excellent!
Excellent info, Kristen! Way back when I was learning how to post my own blogs, my programmer taught me about opening in a new window so you don’t lose people on your site. It was BURNED on my brain, because I just do it automatically now.
Thanks so much Cathy… glad that your programmer put you on the right path, often times they don’t… as there is so much they would have to teach, but this one is more simplistic. Thanks!
Great explanation of why we should always open in a new window when linking away from our own site. I always consider that and am glad you shared this with everyone. Nice video.
Thanks Beth… glad you like it and the video and found it to be valuable.
Fantastic tips. Opening in a new tab (Chrome) is an automatic thing for me. Frustrating on a smartphone though LOL!!!
So here’s a question… what’s the most windows/tabs you’ve had open at any one time? as I’m typing this, it’s 9:16am and I have 9 😉
YAY! Thanks Gisele and I do the same thing… right click and open in new tab regardless of how they set it up… as far as the smartphone… just hold down on the link and a pop up window will come up asking if you want to open in a new tab or window. SCORE! Most tabs at one time… not sure… but I have been known to have about 20-30 sometimes when doing some research, FB Friday or share the luv days… and checking on clients.
I always double and triple check before publishing a blog to make sure all of my external links open up to a new window. It really drives me crazy when others don’t do that. I don’t want to have to hit the back button. What if one link leads to 10 more? Then I’ve totally lost the original page I wanted to be on if new windows don’t open.
Excellent Beth.. and I am with you, drives me nuts too, which is why right click has become habit… yes.. because I usually end up going down the 10 page rabbit hole.
Great explanation, Kristen. I try to do that but I am sure I have done it incorrectly at times on my blog. Good reminder to pay close attention in the future.
We all have, I am sure I have overlooked it.. but I usually make a point to link internally anyhow.
You are quickly becoming a must-read for me, Kristen!
So glad to hear that Sharon! 😉
What great information to share. A real eye opener. Breaking down the link differences really makes a difference. This is a must keep! Thanks for sharing.
So glad this was helpful for you Janell, thanks so much!
Kristen
I love posting on one narrow subject and doing it well, which the video helps so much to explain what you mean. I learned that there is a search feature in the WP link tool. Commentluv is such a great tool too. Now I am hanging around looking at some other articles. I leave satisfied that I have had a satisfying knowledge meal here with no bloating.
Thanks so much Eyauuk! Glad that you found it helpful and I am like you… I try to take one point and drill down, providing value and understanding. That search tool is helpful when you have a ton of blogs too. I love CommentLuv also, helps us with our backlinking! Glad you are finding value in various blogs….. with no bloating! LOL Thanks!
I would love to put an emoticon here, but I can’t find one slapping itself on the forehead. 🙂 So, ok, I am double-checking to make sure my hyperlinks all open into a new window, and you are the most amazing person ever. THANK YOU, Cupcake! 🙂
It’s all good girl… part of the learning process, making mistakes, but as long as you learn from them. You are doing great! *pat on back emoticon*
Great point. I actually never even thought about having a link open in a different window, but I will now! Thanks for the tip Kristen!
So necessary if you link to other sites or all that work getting those potential clients on your site… gone! Glad you found good value Lisa!
This is a great tip for every website owner. Don’t want to drive people away!
Yes Carol… and thanks!
I LOVE when you add a short video. I read & reread the explanation, even read others comments but it didnt really register until I saw the video. I think we have been doing it correctly. Mostly we link to products on our website.
Thanks Roz… I figured it would seal the deal of the explanation instead of saying, go to that box that pops open when you click the link icon.. wait what? lol. Thanks
Thank you so much for this info, I find it very helpful, since I am a beginner blogger!! The video was so beneficial too!!
YAY! Glad it was helpful Varina! Glad the video made it easier for you as well!
Excellent advice! You definitely don’t want anyone clicking and having it open in the window they are viewing your page on or they may finish reading and just click off leaving you for good. There WILL be people who start to read and may click off so you don’t want to lose those who are interested.
Thanks Mike and so very true… nothing like going through a rabbit hole of a website or sites and find that you don’t remember where you started.
Great point. It drives me crazy when a link doesn’t open in a new window. And if any of mine do, I sure hope someone will tell me! Good stuff, as always, Kristen.
Yes, so true… thanks Jackie!
Wow thanks Kristen, I had no idea, and I have been doing it wrong I think so far…;-)
Thanks Katarina.. glad you found value and hopefully you are able to fix them up easily!
Thank you for sharing an informative post.