Web Site Navigation can be like adding a GPS
This blog entry was posted on June 13, 2007.
Web Site Navigation
Navigation is the GPS that directs visitors around your website. Design a simple and intuitive navigation system and people can find exactly what they are looking for. This is the single most important element in creating the best website design. Organizing your website’s navigation may seem simple, but it actually requires a great deal of thought.
The flow of your website should follow your natural selling process. Your best sales people know the best way to start from a cold call to clinching the final sale. In designing your website structure, begin by thinking like a customer. The flow should become completely obvious.
Here are 10 navigation design tips for web page design:
- 3 click rule: Make it easy to move around your website. You should be able to any from any page to another within 3 clicks. There should be fast and easy access to information.
- Top or left side: Be predictable and make it easy on visitors. Place the navigation system on the left or the top, just below the header.
- Be consistent: The navigation system should be in the same place on every page and have the same format. Otherwise visitors become confused and frustrated.
- Use standard wording: Keep category names as simple as you possibly can. Don’t make your visitors guess where a link is going to take them.
- Home Page: Include a “Home” link in your main navigation system. Visitors may arrive at a secondary page and will want to easily find your main page.
- Logo links home: Visitors expect that clicking on the logo will take them to the home page. Most sites include their logo in the top left hand corner of each page.
- Sitemap: Large or complex sites should always have a text-based site map in addition to text links. Every page should contain a text link to the site map. Lost visitors will use it to find their way, while search engines spiders will have reliable access to all your pages.
- Internal links: One important aspect of navigation is internal linking between the pages. Placing links within body text connects pages in a natural way.
- Provide Options: individuals have different preferences for finding information. Options can include, sidebar navigation, top navigation, text links and site wide searches.
- Search box: A search feature helps visitors locate information quickly. Make the search box prominent and be sure that it searches all of your site but only your site. If you use a search the web feature, you can quickly lose your visitors.
Navigation provides the structure, the road map and guides visitors down the path that you want. Designed correctly, navigation is a powerful part of your website’s success.
Doug Williams, Internet marketing consultant
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Filed under: Website Design
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