Where should I put external links?

[Derek]

I've been told I should not put external links on my home page. If that's
correct then why not and where should I put them please.
regards

 

[Ronx]

I see nothing wrong with placing external links on any page - home or
otherwise. They will move visitors away from your site - this is the
only reason I can think of for not placing them on the home page, but if
they are appropriate...
You can code the links to open in a new window or suitably sized pop-up
window, so your own page remains on the visitors screen. This applies
to all pages external links are on.
--
Ron Symonds - Microsoft MVP (FrontPage)
Reply only to group - emails will be deleted unread.

http://www.rxs-enterprises.org/fp

FrontPage Support: http://www.frontpagemvps.com/

 

[.._..]

I've been told I should not put external links on my home page. If that's
correct then why not and where should I put them please.
regards

That's a good rule of thumb for some certain kinds of small sites (like a
"buy my widget that I sell out of my garage" site).

But, if your site contains useful information of some other type, then links
to other sites are useful and can make users come back over and over again.
The most popular sites on the web are basically ways to get to other sites
(searches, Yahoo's portal), and I can see from my own logs and sites the
ones with lists of links and content to whatever specialized subject get
HUGE hit counts compared to the files hawking whatever wares.

So, stop and think about it, "why are the users here?" And if a link is
appropriate for the answer to that question, then link away!

(Note, it is bad form to mix link types in your primary navigation menu,
don't link to six pages with buttons on the left then stick one to an
external site in there. That is inconsistent and confusing to some users.)