Web surfers are basically an impatient bunch and if a site is difficult to ascertain because the tires are not obvious, they will click away never to return. Website navigation is one of the most crucial elements in determining the effectiveness of a website. This article discuses the basic principle of designing website navigation.
To be effective website navigation should not only useful for the average person. Although there is always room for creativity, well designed websites tend to have similar navigation layouts.
As a web designer you should always consider the main purpose of the website and the target in the design of navigation elements. Most websites exist for visitors to inform either a product or service is actually selling or the product or service. Therefore there are some basic rules to follow:
Make sure all navigation elements are clear links with standard conventions for the bands, such as buttons, menus, underlined text or change color on the mouse. Resist the temptation to clever or ambiguous names for links.
If non-conventional tires, explicitly indicate that this is a link the visitor. For example, suppose you design a Web page where you want a map showing the various cities to use and you want the user to click on the name of the city late pulling up information about that city. Make sure you tell the user to click on the name of the city to learn more about the city each day.
Remember the “Three Rule” that most professional web designers use. Studies have shown that most users no more than three left click to get to the information they want. So every page on your site should be reachable within three clicks.
I do not recommend using a Flash movie or a different type of splash page on your website. Keep the design simple yet attractive web pages. But if you decide to use to activate using the META REFRESH tag to the visitor to be automatically assigned to your home after a few seconds and a clickable, clearly marked button or so providence link the visitor’s entry page and skip straight to your home otherwise a large percentage of the visitors just click away never to return. Remember, most visitors are looking for information not entertainment.
Locations navigation element
Top Menus – a top of the page menu bar is typically located directly under the header of the page containing the image that site logo. These menu items are some links, drop down menus, menu or extend. Each menu item can be represented by a graphic or text only. In the case of an ether link is associated with each item that the visitor can click to go to the information described.
Left Navigation Pane – left side navigation is typically implemented as either a column or text on the left upper portion of the web. Like the top menu, each item has a link or an expansion of the menu.
Right Side Navigation – Navigation is not right so often, but when used, is designed as a column or text on the top right of the webpage. Most designers use this area for the ads instead of site navigation.
Bottom Menus – down menus can be either a menu bar or footer. Menu bars use images or text links, and footers almost exclusively use text links.
Important navigation elements
Internal Page Links – Each page on this site within two or three clicks from the homepage. Important pages should be a click away. The type of site will determine which links are more visible.
Login Boxes – login boxes should be clearly displayed. Common locations are left, right or in the header of the page.
Shopping carts – if you have a shopping cart to sell your products, you must clearly view cart button on each page. The most common location is just below the top right or as part of the header.
Buy Now buttons – if you use the individual buttons, they are big and visible. The fewer clicks it takes for your order page, the more orders you get.
Breadcrumbs – breadcrumbs are both left and a graphical representation of where you are in the site. Breadcrumbs are usually located in the upper left of the page just below the header. Each word is a link back to the previous page. They are in the form
Home-> Products-> Marketing
External Links – external links can be used anywhere, but often are the most common areas of the text on a website. They can be references for more information on another site, the recommended products, or almost anything else.
Ads – ads are usually either an image or text with a hyperlink attached. Ads can be placed anywhere on a webpage, but are mostly used just under the header banner, down the right side of the page under the navigation elements on the left margin on the bottom of the page or even rotated within the pilot areas of the page. Studies show that ads “above the fold” more effective.
(“Above the fold” refers to the surface of a web page that is visible without scrolling.)
Downloadable items – if you offer downloadable items, such as audio, video or PDF files, make sure you tell the user haw big the file is and whether they need to file an application to use. If they request, a link to the application. For example, a link to the free Acrobat Reader and PDF files to offer.
Site Map – A sitemap is a good way to layout your entire site for your visitor. (Search Engine Spyder, just as they are.) It is simply a hierarchical list of every page on your site with a clickable hyperlink to that page.
Final Words
A good navigation system can increase the number of pages viewed by each visitor. This may increase notifications, customers, sales, members or whatever it is your site is designed to do and your website more successful.