Solve the Page Load Issue with Creative Redirects in PHP and JavaScript

Описание: Learn how to effectively manage user experience when redirecting from one page to another, ensuring users see the correct loading status and avoid confusion.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/63986429/ asked by the user 'Ng Sek Long' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/6463291/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/63987657/ provided by the user 'Sumit Wadhwa' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/9332875/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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Understanding the Page Load Problem

Have you ever faced a situation where your web application redirects users from one page to another, and instead of the destination page’s loading status, the browser continues displaying the loading status of the initial page? This scenario not only creates confusion for end-users but also leads to inaccurate feedback regarding the performance of your web pages.

The Scenario

In our example, we have two web pages:

Page 1: Managed by your team and loads quickly (a few milliseconds).

Page 2: Managed by another team, but due to its legacy code, it takes significantly longer (around 10 seconds) to load.

When users log in on Page 1, they are automatically redirected to Page 2. Unfortunately, the browser shows that Page 1 is still loading throughout the waiting period, which can lead users to think it's Page 1 that's experiencing slow performance.

Goals for a Better User Experience

To enhance user experience, our ultimate goal is to ensure that:

The browser displays Page 2’s loading status instead of Page 1 while waiting for the content to load.

Users can accurately assess which page is causing delays and provide feedback accordingly.

Addressing the Redirection Issue

To resolve this challenge effectively, we want to share a solution using JavaScript that helps manage the redirection process. Here’s how:

Use JavaScript to Open the Second Page in a New Tab

A straightforward approach to tackle the issue involves opening Page 2 (test2.php) in a new browser tab. This way, the initial loading screen of Page 1 will quickly dismiss, leading users to perceive that Page 2 is loading.

Implementation Steps

Create a Function to Open a New Tab:
We can define a JavaScript function that programmatically creates a new link (<a>) element and simulates a click on it. This allows us to navigate without causing confusions in the loading status.

Here’s an effective function to achieve this:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Redirect on Successful Login:
After a successful login in Page 1, you can call the openInNewTab() function with the URL of Page 2 to redirect users smoothly.

Advantages of This Approach

Clear User Experience: By loading Page 2 in a separate tab, users watch the loading of the relevant page, minimizing confusion.

Feedback Accuracy: Users can quickly identify which page demonstrates slow performance and provides appropriate feedback.

Other Considerations

If opening a new tab does not align with your application’s design philosophy or encompasses user preferences, consider displaying an informative message to users during the wait period, allowing them to understand what’s happening.

Conclusion

In conclusion, managing user experience around redirects can be achieved through simple yet effective front-end techniques. By employing the method of opening the second page in a new tab, we can ensure users correctly perceive the performance of both landing pages without erroneously blaming the quick-loading page. Remember, a little clarity can drastically enhance user satisfaction!