Opening links in new browser windows
I have a website with social network links to facebook, linkedIn, twitter...
They open the target URL in a new browser window.
Is this really bad for accessibility, and usability, come to mention it?
An article i read http://www.webcredible.co.uk/user-friendly-resources/web-usability/new-browser-windows.shtml says that you should really never do it.
However i am one of those people, who would want a link that takes me away from the site i am currently on, to open in a new window, so that i am not disrupted from whatever i am doing on the other site.
I am however just one person and if this makes things remotely difficult from an accessibility point of view, I will definately make sure it doesn't happen.
Thanks in advance for anyones help, and sorry if this has previously been discussed, i did have a look but couldn't find anything!
Hannah
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This has indeed been discussed before so it's worth searching the forum, but essentially...
| WCAG 2 wrote: |
| Suddenly opening new windows can disorientate or be missed completely by some users. |
However, it goes on to say that warning users beforehand is a sufficient technique:
| WCAG 2 wrote: |
| Check that the link text contains information indicating that the link will open in a new window. |
James Coltham - Local gov web manager by day, web and accessibility blogger at lunchtime, freelancer by night. Tweets at @prettysimple.
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I always worked on the basis that opening a new window breaks browser back button functionality so why do it? Let the user make that choice.Design, development and marketing for the web.
Edge Three Sixty Ltd: Web Design Liverpool
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That's well and said Phil but have you ever tried using the back button away from Facebook?
They purposefully break it.
Therefore launch it in a new window, but please warn the user first.
Mike Foskett
<marquee><blink><work> webSemantics </work><rest> 2kool2 </rest> & <play> bangers & mashed </play></marquee></blink>
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| mike 2k:)2 wrote: |
| That's well and said Phil but have you ever tried using the back button away from Facebook?
Mike Foskett |
Just now and it let me go back. Used Firefox 11.0.
Design, development and marketing for the web.
Edge Three Sixty Ltd: Web Design Liverpool
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my website's twitter and facebook opens in the same window https://twitter.com/#!/beaosom, you can ask the technical staff to change it
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Do users understand how to use multiple windows or tabs? For the most part, NO! Also:
* They click the 'Search' and 'Submit' buttons instead of pressing 'Return'.
* They type URLs into web search engines instead of directly into the Address Bar.
* They don't bookmark websites, or do so very rarely.
* And this doesn't change significantly over time.
Most people just muddle through. The Internet isn't their life and passion. To them, it's like using the kettle, a means to an end.
As such, even if you feel it's helpful to force new tabs or windows, you are just going to confuse people. They won't understand what happened; they barely understand when normal things happen!
At worst the leftover window at the end of their browsing session will seem rude; you've cluttered up their machine.
They'll do a web search for your website's name to get back to it, if they are several pages deep in the next site.
Users who are comfortable with multiple tabs and window have learnt the clicks and shortcuts to do it themselves. So keep your links normal and let users operate them however they normally would. Remember, familliarity is a cornerstone of usability and accessibility.
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