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WAIT! Don't LEAVE Me!!

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Education & Training with Tech Training for You!

WAIT! Don't LEAVE me!!

We work very hard to get eyeballs on our blog posts and web sites, so then why are you sending people away once you get them?? You are not intentionally doing this, but if you aren't aware, you might in fact be doing this.

Whenever you are creating a hyperlink, you have two choices for what will happen when a person clicks on that link. Your link will either (a) use the same browser tab, or (b) open up in a new browser tab. There are two choices and you are in control. But how do you know which choice is correct in each case?

Let's consider the posts in the diagram below. The colored dots are different hyperlinks you have on your posts. Some dots are YELLOW where you will want the link to open in a new tab. There's one link shown that is a GREEN dot, that should open up in the same tab. As you look at the illustration, see if you understand which choice is best (new tab or same tab). Below the illustration, let's discuss why.

Now let's look at these cases.

Case 1/New Tab: You have a bunch of  links on a page so people can go read more about any given item if they follow the link. In this first case, you have another post giving more detailed information on the subject. However, the person reading the initial page has probably not completed reading your post all the way to the bottom. In this case, send them to the additional page in a NEW tab. That way, if they head to the other page immediately, they can see your first page again later (since the tab was never closed). There was more good information on that original page that they might also want to see. If you don't leave the original tab open, you are depending on them to click the back button after leaving, which they may or may not do.

Case 2 & Case 3/New Tab: Consider links on a page will take them entirely away from your website. ALWAYS open links to sites that aren't yours in a new tab. You want them to be able to go get more details. But don't turn your assistance for them into a ticket to leave you entirely. As such you would be left to hope that they remember to return. It's better to not do that!

Case 4/Same Tab: The times that you want to open links in the same tab are when you are (a) sending them to another page on your own site and (b) they are ready to move on (but willing to stay with you) Navigation elements will open in the same tab (navigation elements are in the top menu and footer, or sidebar) or if you are giving them a link to related page(s) and the end of the post that they have just completed reading. In other words, they are done reading this page, what's next? Let your link open in the same tab.

Let's look at how to set link settings. The illustration below shows what it now looks like starting in WordPress v5 Gutenberg. You'll want to select the text that you want the link to anchor to then click the link button on the toolbar (or you can use the shortcut Ctrl+K/Command+K on Mac). After you set your link URL, you'll need to click the link settings button on the right to have the options flyout appear. Use the 'open in new tab' toggle to enable that option when required.

In ActiveRain, the technique is very similar. Select your anchor text, use the toolbar button for a link (or use the Ctrl+K/Command+K shortcut).  As shown in the illustration below, the target list will allow you to set the target as 'New window' when you need that option.

 

Adding hyperlinks on our pages is helpful as we can guide our visitors on to more pages where they can get their questions answered. However, we want to be aware and smart about when we are linking to other pages. Should we send them to a new tab, or should we use the same tab. After today, this answer should be clarified!

Working smarter with technology - Craig's Classroom gets you there!
What do you want to learn next? (link opens in same window) ---->   ; )

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Craig Daniels
This blog is all about technology and helping you to use it smarter! Your digital footprint is your chance to attract new clients. What kind of impression are you making via your website, blog, and social media? We’ll be talking about that! Are you as productive as you can be? What apps might help you out? Do you know how to use all the best tools inside the apps? I enjoy photography and videography, you can expect to see those topics also on this blog.
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PS - get ready for some homework… :) 

Comments(30)

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Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

You make an excellent point about the importance of choosing the right box for opening new windows, rather than replacing our's, Craig.

Feb 16, 2020 08:58 AM
Craig Daniels

Keep our visitors with us, don't send them away, thanks Myrl! :)

Feb 16, 2020 09:19 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

CONGRATULATIONS Craig, on having this blog FEATURED in the Old Farts Club group!  

Feb 16, 2020 08:58 AM
Craig Daniels

awesome, thanks!

Feb 16, 2020 09:19 AM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

You're a brainiac!

Feb 16, 2020 10:04 AM
Craig Daniels

why thanks! (I'm taking that as a compliment) haha :)

Feb 16, 2020 10:47 AM
Laura Filip
Laura Filip Broker , Opening doors for All Seasons of Life - Whitesboro, TX
What can we do for you today?

Bookmarked for further reading into this article. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on links within an article and how they work for you as the article writer. Have a blessed day

Feb 16, 2020 10:44 AM
Craig Daniels

the more we write, the more we have to share with others. give them links to continue reading related content! thanks Laura :)

Feb 16, 2020 10:49 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

I always choose "new tab" when I have the option to choose.

Feb 16, 2020 12:18 PM
Craig Daniels

I hope by sharing thoughts on this, more will see that it is an option to use effectively. thanks Marte! :)

Feb 17, 2020 05:40 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

This is a great explanation of why/when to use new/same tabs. I didn't know how to choose this in wordpress, so thank you!

Feb 17, 2020 05:54 AM
Craig Daniels

it could be easy to miss in WP, glad you discovered, thanks Kat!

Feb 19, 2020 05:25 AM
Margaret Goss
@Properties - Winnetka, IL
Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate

HI Craig - I get what you're saying, it just seems safer to always direct to a new tab. But I will consider more carefully in the future how I do them.

Feb 17, 2020 08:28 AM
Craig Daniels

new tab works in most cases. however for user experience, sometimes you want to use same tab. thanks Margaret!

Feb 19, 2020 05:26 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

As usual great advice, never thought of changing the links depending on where they are in the post if going to my own information. Good thought.

Feb 17, 2020 12:20 PM
Craig Daniels

glad to see you came over to visit the blog, thanks Nick!

Feb 19, 2020 05:26 AM
Tammy Emineth
Personal SEO - Website SEO and Real Estate Marketing - Frenchtown, MT
Content Marketer, SEO Teacher, Website Fixer

Minor detail and yet SO important. Keep those people on your site. Well done and congrats on the feature! Don't let those people get away! 

Feb 17, 2020 03:04 PM
Craig Daniels

we work so hard to get the eyeballs on our sites, don't send them away! :) thanks Tammy!

Feb 19, 2020 05:27 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Craig:

Thanks for the link education. I've saved this to read and think about some more. So glad you are active again and sharing your wisdom!

Jeff

Feb 17, 2020 09:19 PM
Craig Daniels

always glad to see when you come to visit the blog, thanks Jeff!

Feb 19, 2020 05:27 AM
Kimo Jarrett
Cyber Properties - Huntington Beach, CA
Pro Lifestyle Solutions

I'll avoid all the confusion and simply hire a professional webmaster, but, excellent illustrations.

Feb 17, 2020 10:42 PM
Craig Daniels

thanks Kimo, I'm glad my illustrations can help visualize the points :)

Feb 19, 2020 05:28 AM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

Thanks for pointing this out, and I'm glad that the default here at AR is to open a new window or tab.

Feb 18, 2020 07:42 PM
Craig Daniels

in the body of blog posts, yes in new tab is the most frequently needed choice, thanks Georgie!

Feb 19, 2020 05:30 AM
Debra Leisek
Bay Realty,Inc Homer Alaska - Homer, AK

What an informative post! You have so much knowledge on this! Thank you for sharing! Bookmarked!

Feb 19, 2020 12:29 AM
Craig Daniels

I'm glad to hear those kind words, thanks Debra!

Feb 19, 2020 05:30 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much for sharing your experience and your advice.

Feb 22, 2020 10:18 AM
Craig Daniels

thanks Roy, I'm always glad to see your visits and your likes :)

Feb 22, 2020 10:24 AM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

The smart way to link glad I stopped in 

Feb 23, 2020 01:33 PM
Janice Zaltman
United Realty Group - Boca Raton, FL
Energy Efficient And Eco-Friendly Homes in Florida

Hi Craig: You are the expert. Normally have been creating a hyperlink that takes readers to another site. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. It is greatly appreciated.

Apr 26, 2020 11:33 AM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP
Big Block LPT Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
Coastal San Diego, Veteran's & Retirees Services

Happy to report I knew some of these tips. I do always open in a new window so they do not lose my page in the clicking. Great info, thank you.

Jun 18, 2020 10:25 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Great information and reminded, Craig. I read this before...and am pretty careful about not sending those who click away from my post they are reading.

Jun 25, 2020 07:54 PM
Barbara Michaluk
Weichert Realtors | Phone Direct 240-506-2434 | 301-681-0550 office - Silver Spring, MD
Leisure World Specialist / Full Service REALTOR

Thanks for sharing this info on links and best ways to set them up so as not to lose the reader.

Jun 26, 2020 07:37 AM
Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR
Weichert Realtors, Welch and Company - Kansas City, MO
Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area

Thanks for a thorough explaination of this topic--I've been aware of it for a while.  Always open in new tab!

Jun 28, 2020 11:30 AM