Logo Position

OK...

So, I have a client, and for whatever reason, I need to give them actual reasons for why the company logo needs to be in the top left hand corner of the site.

Now, we all know about the usability aspects of adding the logo to the top left (IE, people expect the logo to link to the home page), but I was wondering if anyone could give me any other reasons other than "Just because".

I've been looking for some usability information on Jakob Nielson's site that details why the logo needs to be top left, but I gotta say...
For a web usability expert (Sorry, THE web usability expert), I just don't find his site particularly usable... (useit.com)

Anyway, if anyone can think of any solid reasons why the logo has to go top left, I'd really appreciate it...

Cheers

 

The biggest reason I think is because people expect it there. One of the biggest things you want to do with a site is make people stay. For whatever reason, people like when things are where they expect them.

<<edit - smyrl typed a little faster and said it even better /edit>>
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Thanks for the help Shannon...

Unfortunatley, that's the one reason I started off with...

But yeah, Surfers expect it...
Now I just need to find a paper that backs the statement up...

 

Oliver,

My guess is brand awareness incorporated with how humans read information (most read from right to left). Other than that, I am not sure why you have to have it in the upper left. Colleen (Kalina) did a nice logo for me and I am in the middle of figuring out where to put it because I don't want in the upper left. I want to be a little 'unique', probably similar to what you client is asking.

Is there design issues whereby you have to have the logo in the upper left? Where are they asking you to place it and why?

 

The other side of this is the client is always right, even if they are wrong.

Is it an easy enough design to do it both ways and have them be the judge? In the end, if they insist on it being elsewhere than thats what you have to do.

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Its the industry standard

Its high up in the code, usually contains a link to your home page, with keyword ALTs, Good for SE.

Where else would you put it ? other than the occasional site with the logo in other places (nike.com) - Top right, its usually designer sites that will consider putting logos elsewhere.

You need a good reason that outweighs all those above to have it anywhere else

 

If this was a small client I would agree with you guys... Just give them what they want.

Unfortunatley, the templates have been built (It took me 3 days to do 1 template) and all of the concepts have been agreed...

I can't really go into many details on this one, other than the fact that since the templates have been produced, that the client is now questioning things (Well, the client's boss I think)...

Unfortunatley, this issue is to do with branding (IE, the logo isn't on the left everywhere else) and I need a solid bunch of reasons to go back to the client and explain why things HAVE to be like this (I can't move on this one).

 

Check out mistake #7 on http://www.useit.com/alertbox/990502.html Jakob mentions logo top left in there

 

Ahhhhh. Lever, My savior...

That's the link I was looking for on Jakob's site...

I'm now gonna look for that Hotspot thing Shannon mentioned - that's be a great one to show them...

THANK YOU FOR THE HELP SO FAR GUYS!!!!!

 

Yipee!!!!!!!

I think this link should do it don't you think
http://www.poynterextra.org/eyetrack2004/main.htm

I knew I had something like that bookmarked but I couldn't for the life of me find it...

It's not the one Shannon mentioned, but it should do the trick

 

Shannon, here's that other link (Or one like it anyway), if you'd still find it useful...

http://www.poynter.org/content/resource_popup_view.asp?id=27204

 

Really good stuff SEBasic

Thanks for the links

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Although late, I'll drop my 2 cents:

Apart from other points, it can be said IMHO that the first thing you see/look is the top left, and if a logo is there you get the information you want first, that is if you are in the right place, and that applies even more if you are not in the home page any longer. In the home page the point is to tell you where you are, very simply.
After seeing the logo you can decide whether to carry on or not, but you actually are in the position to make that choice because of the logo.

Sorry, I prob didn't make myself understood, I am just writing faster than thinking!

 

Pretty good stuff there. My next site is going to designed with that eye tracker in mind, just to see. Great read.... nice find SEB

 

there is no reason.
its not 'required'.
your client has a good point.

none.

i cant believe all you people are so locked into this limited way of thinking about design.
this is what i would call 'web usability tunnel vision'.
also...needing to recite some web gurus 'wisdom' to convince a client that your ideas are valid....is....frankly....weakass.

 

RZ, you really should follow you name and relax....

 

From Steve Krug, Don't make me think, page 63-64:

He then goes on saying that if you don't want it top-left, put it at the top where it frames the entire site to repect the hierarchy.