Redirect Page - Help or Hinder Sales???

**theitgirl** · 17-07-08

I've just amended my PHP redirect page so that it delays for a second before redirecting so I can use my Google Analytics tracking code on it.

Since I've done this my sales have dropped dramatically :scared

Is this just a fluke, or are people more likely to click off a page that says 'Redirecting...', whereas before it was just a blank page that redirected quickly.

Any thoughts would be great since I'm wondering whether I should revert back to my other page and do without the Google stats. :cry

Thanks

**aotagain** · 17-07-08

imo any delay, especially seen by the user is a no-no.

3 things immediately spring to mind:

1. Users don't mind clicks as long as they are quick and easy.
2. Putting 'redirecting' in front of consumers puts a (nowadays big?) seed of doubt about where they are going and how.
3. If you're doing PPC, Google doesn't like delays in reaching the landing page.

**BmBell** · 17-07-08

I agree with the above.

Redirects are generally responsible for a drop in users and most secrah engines see them as a big no-no.

**sussexrob** · 17-07-08

As a user i hate redirects/opening in a new window but thats what most affiliates do , well one or the other

One thing i did find which increased my conversion was to actually tell people that the window will redirect to the merchant (giving the merchants name if not obvious) and that it will open in a new window

Conversion went up, maybe due to the customer knowing what was going on and them not being surprised and annoyed they were being sent elsewhere

Rob

**khuram** · 17-07-08

Originally Posted by sussexrob

As a user i hate redirects/opening in a new window but thats what most affiliates do , well one or the other

One thing i did find which increased my conversion was to actually tell people that the window will redirect to the merchant (giving the merchants name if not obvious) and that it will open in a new window

Conversion went up, maybe due to the customer knowing what was going on and them not being surprised and annoyed they were being sent elsewhere

Rob

Comprehensive Reply.
Thanks added