5 Website Navigation Tips

Your website navigation is how your customer will move around your website, you want to make this as easy as possible for them.  If it is not simple and obvious they will leave before they ever get a chance to see all the great stuff on your website.

Here are 5 tips for better website navigation;

• Keep It Simple

Keep your main navigation menu to a minimum, use the footer or a sidebar to give access to more detailed information.

Simplicity should be balanced with usability, make sure while keeping the navigation simple that users are not having to click through sub-menu after sub-menu to get to core content.  As simple as it can be, as complex as it needs to be.

• Keep It Consistent

Users will quickly get to grips with navigation that is always in the same place, always in the same format and works the same way throughout your website.  Similarly they will quickly get confused if navigation elements keep moving about depending on the page they are on, or if they are a highlighted or formatted in a different way.

• Keep It Mobile First

Around 50% of your users will be on a mobile phone or tablet (this could be high or lower depending on the target audience), so your navigation needs to be responsive and work on all mobile devices.  Make sure your design is thoroughly tested on all common device types and browsers.

• Keep It Business Focussed

Align your site navigation with the objectives of your website.  What is it you are trying to achieve from your website?  How does your navigation support and promote that?  For example if you are promoting products or services how easy is it for a customer to find what they are looking for?  How can they find out more information?  How easy is it for them to complete the purchase?

• Keep It Under Review

Whether you tackle the navigation yourself or have your site designed, you will need to keep revisiting how well it is working and how customers are interacting with your site (or not).  Use data, something like Google Analytics is very easy to implement and can give you vital information on how your customers are navigating around your site.  Also consider asking friends and family to complete a typical transaction and use their feedback to inform future changes.

• And Finally…

Take inspiration from some of the great websites that you use everyday for some great ideas on what works and what doesn’t.  Friends and family can again be a great source of information a can serve as a cross section of internet users.  What websites do they like/ dislike using and why?  This is about gathering ideas and understanding how people interact with navigation and content.

We are here to help.  Any questions please let us know info@bemoreonline.co.uk