How to handle Affiliate sites?

[RMF]

I'm curious to know what others feel on this. When you create sites with affiliate links (products), do you create links so that the user is taken to the affiliate site in the same browser, or do you target a new browser? The nice thing about the new browser is that it keeps the user on your site, but most people hate it when new browsers open up on their own.. So what do you think?

[thedomainster]

You can go either way with it, but I think it should probably open in the same window. Especially if it is an affiliate link where you actually want them to convert on the sponsors site (ie they have to buy something and you get paid a commission).

People are more quick to close a popup after a second or two, but if it opens up in the same window it seems that they are more likely to read into the sponsors product and actually think about buying.

[whitebark]

I find higher conversions with loading in the same window. Besides many know how to set their browsers to disable the opening of a new window anyways.

[Banned: TiffanyR]

Originally Posted by whitebark

I find higher conversions with loading in the same window. Besides many know how to set their browsers to disable the opening of a new window anyways.

i agree 101%

[DDC_Cyn]

Interesting, I almost always set it to pop the new window because I don't want them to lose my site - but what you're saying here makes a lot of sense. Will make the switch and see what happens.

[dcristo]

Not something which I have given much thought, but I usually make external links open in a new window.

[hawkeye]

Originally Posted by DDC_Cyn

Interesting, I almost always set it to pop the new window because I don't want them to lose my site - but what you're saying here makes a lot of sense. Will make the switch and see what happens.

I've got to ditto this. I felt this same way, but can see the logic in same window. Hmm, will have to switch mine too.

[dcristo]

Let us know how it effects conversions if you do test it.