Login UI for web apps

Question

I've noticed that Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo, and Ebay all have their login boxes on the right. Amazon's is on the left, though.

Does anyone know why the right side seems to be the 'right' way to go?

Answer 1

Generally speaking most sites shove the most important top level navigation into the upper right. So naturally something as important as logging into the site falls to that location as well. Since the logo for the site goes to the upper left, the spot most likely to not misbehave no matter what browser you are viewing a site in...the only remaining most seen spot on the page is naturally in the upper right!

There are lots of books on usability as too why this has occurred. There are also many studies regarding where peoples eye's gravitate too most frequently on a site which has led to these locations being chosen. Actual scientific facts behind these layouts.

Why is amazons where it is...more research I guess!