Website navigation. The bane of every web user’s existence. You know what I’m talking about: when you’re on a website and you just can’t find what you’re looking for. It’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack, or a gluten-free, vegan, soy-free, sugar-free, dairy-free, organic snack at a gas station. It’s not impossible, but it sure feels like it. And then – some websites are like mazes. You start on the homepage, click on a link, and suddenly you’re in some dark corner of the site, wondering how you got there and how to get back. It’s like being lost in a forest, except instead of trees, there are pages of content that don’t make any sense.
As a website owner, one of the most important aspects of your site is the navigation. Good website navigation is essential for keeping users engaged, improving their experience, and ultimately increasing your website’s success. Let’s explore some tips for creating effective website navigation that will help your users find what they’re looking for quickly and easily.
Keep it Simple
One of the most important rules for website navigation is to keep it simple. Too many menu items or complex hierarchies can overwhelm users and make it difficult for them to find what they’re looking for. To avoid this, limit your navigation to no more than 5-7 items and organize them in a logical way. Use clear and concise labels that accurately describe the content on each page.
For example, check out the navigation on Apple’s website. They limit their main navigation to just a few items: Mac, iPad, iPhone, Watch, TV, Support and Where to Buy. Each label is clear and concise, making it easy for users to know where to go.
Use Consistent Design
Consistency is key when it comes to website navigation. Ensure that your navigation is consistent across all pages of your site, using the same design elements, font, and color scheme. This helps users easily recognize and navigate through your site, reducing frustration and confusion.
For example, take a look at the navigation on the Airbnb website. They use a consistent design throughout their entire site, including the use of their logo, font, and color scheme.
Provide Search Functionality
Search functionality is a crucial component of website navigation. It allows users to quickly find the information they need without having to navigate through multiple pages. A search bar should be prominently displayed on every page of your site, ideally in the top right-hand corner.
For example, take a look at the search bar on the Amazon website. It’s located on the top of the page and is clearly visible, making it easy for users to quickly search for products.
Include Breadcrumbs
Breadcrumbs are a secondary navigation tool that shows users the path they took to get to their current page. This is especially useful for websites with deep hierarchies, such as e-commerce sites or news websites. Breadcrumbs help users understand their location on the site and can help them easily navigate back to previous pages.
For example, take a look at the breadcrumb trail on the REI website. It shows users the path they took to get to the current page, making it easy to navigate back to previous pages.
Make it Mobile-Friendly
With the majority of website traffic coming from mobile devices, it’s essential to ensure your website navigation is mobile-friendly. This means using a responsive design that adapts to different screen sizes, as well as designing navigation that is easy to use on a mobile device.
For example, take a look at the mobile navigation on the BuzzFeed website. It’s easy to use, with clear labels and a simple layout that’s optimized for mobile devices.
Test and Iterate
Finally, it’s important to test your website navigation regularly and make changes based on user feedback. Conduct user testing to identify pain points and areas for improvement, and use analytics tools to track user behavior and engagement.
For example, imagine you run a restaurant website and users are having trouble finding your menu. You might conduct user testing and find that users are confused by the navigation labels. In response, you could change the label from “Menu” to “Food & Drink” to make it more intuitive.
All in all, good website navigation is essential for a successful website. By keeping it simple, using consistent design, providing search functionality, including breadcrumbs, making it mobile-friendly, and testing and iterating, you can create an effective navigation system that will keep your users engaged and coming back for