I’ve said more than once that website navigation needs to be simple and obvious.
Otherwise you lose people because they can’t figure out how to get where they want to go, or maybe even if you are offering what they are looking for.
Errors on this aren’t restricted to small business websites. I’ve written of the horror of trying to navigate the Verizon website. They’ve improved their site since, but it is still in the “pretty bad” category.
It’s amazing how many of the world’s largest retailers, when you go to their website it’s hard to find the “store locator” link.
So what are some of the basic rules of website navigation?
The first is that you shouldn’t depart much from expectations.
There is a lot of room for creativity and uniqueness in website design, but think about this: If your navigation is out-of-the-ordinary, people are going to be looking for it in the wrong places, or not understanding how it works!
That goes for the main menu, which should usually be in a horizontal bar somewhere near the top of the page. Why? That’s where most main menus are, so that’s where people look for them!
Our own main menu is about as far from the ordinary as it’s safe to get. It is across the top. It’s also not in a bar, and the main buttons move a bit when you roll over them. People really like the whimsy factor on this. Yet, if we pushed it a bit further, we would have upset and lost visitors.
Secondary menus in a column down one side are common, especially in stores, so that is a very acceptable solution if needed.
We also always provide multiple ways of navigation, including a series of text links in the footer (bottom of page) and text links within the body of content on many pages. That’s because different people have different preferred ways to navigate or have different expectations. These, along with “site search” functions, comprise a safety net so the vast majority of visitors can get around without getting frustrated.
This is one of the factors that needs to be carefully worked out when designing a site.
Websites: Menus
