Are "back" and "next" arrows a user-friendly feature for product websites?

Answers

1. Tim G

   On 2006-08-02 13:15:41

   
   
   They can be if your web site is one that offers some kind of step-by-step process, like building a birdhouse or, say, putting together and hosting a web site. If a web site is used in another manner - marketing, general information, or uses non-linear navigation, then you'd be better off creating a custom navigation using specific page/section names like Home, Product Information, Clients, About Us, Contact Us, etc. And, like another user posted, Back and Next buttons are already built into browsers, so there's not too much use you can get out of making your own.

2. Tapan

   On 2006-08-02 11:36:17

   
   
   You are better of using alternate terms for being user friendly Instead of back and next ; if they are links - use the name of the page the user would end up on If they are photos/ product images - use counters as for "3 of 45" , use 2 and 4

3. Richard H

   On 2006-08-02 12:43:24

   
   
   "Back" and "Next" arrows duplicate functions already found in the browser application, so they aren't entirely necessary.