Left v/s Right Sidebar – which layout works best?

http://visualwebsiteoptimizer.com/split-testing-blog/left-vs-right-sidebar-which-layout-works-best/

by paraschopra • 16 years ago

9 12 16 years ago

visualwebsiteoptimizer.com

gacba• 16 years ago

Actually, this isn't very conclusive. All it says is that his website's layout doesn't matter left or right weighted.

Jakob Nielsen tested more than one website and came to a very different conclusion: Left weighted sites are preferable.

http://www.useit.com/alertbox/horizontal-attention.html

paraschopra2• 16 years ago

Yep, 100% agree. That is why I wrote in the post:

>(Though it may differ for you – you should A/B test it, it is really quite simple).

A/B testing results (even Jakob's) should never be implemented without testing on your own site. Though A/B testing case studies give ideas and set a good benchmark using which you can compare your own results.

warfangle• 16 years ago

The reason the original had a higher engagement rate probably relates to returning users. I wish he had tracked the engagement rank not only on the A/B of sidebar location, but also on whether the visitor was a returning/regular or a new unique.

rajatmehta1• 16 years ago

I think it mostly depends on the type of site...if you are making a blog then on LHS or on the Top (not sure why but i think R.H.S doesnot look good in this way) but If you are showing videos or pictures then right side navigation works very well i think....suppose you show a video and then you can show some related videos on the r.h.s...if the user who is seeing hte video on the lhs of the screen keeps the mouse cursor on the r.h.s (mostly he migth keep there since the menu is there)....then if you show related videos there the tendency to click on that side is more... this is what youtube does..

moe2• 16 years ago

So, I'm supposed to take design advice from a site that gives me horizontal scrollbars at <1440px window width?

petercooper3• 16 years ago

Really? I don't get any horizontal scrollbars till < 997px browser width, which isn't an unreasonable level nowadays.

http://skitch.com/petercooper/dyeh8/x

moe2• 16 years ago

Looks like your font-size is much smaller than mine.

This is chrome with everything on default (I did not increase it), on a 1920x1600 screen.

Seems the design advice site needs some help with CSS.

petercooper3• 16 years ago

I conducted a totally unscientific poll on Twitter a few days ago. About 20 people responded with two-thirds preferring content left, sidebar right.

unfair• 16 years ago

Really depends on whether the sidebar is navigation or not. If it's extra stuff like RSS feeds and graphs (as in his example) then right is better. On the other hand, I much prefer navigation sidebars on the left side.

Why? I don't know, it just feels more comfortable that way.

Left v/s Right Sidebar – which layout works best?

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