Until recently, most of us thought cool graphics, clean code and content were the main keys to a successful site. Now we are realizing that navigation is the area of web design that can make or break a site. Anyone interested in communicating effectively on the Web must recognize the importance of navigation. Navigation must be clear cut and goal oriented. In general, most people need to know some basic things in order to orientate themselves.
The basic navigation needs to include answers to the following questions:
“Where am I?”
“What is available?”
“How can I get there?”
“How can I find the item I want?”
Look at your user and what he/she demands today: information, speed, functionality, clearly marked paths, personalized service, quick delivery and immediate answers. We are in the midst of a fast food world and another establishment is just “around the corner” if your service is not up to par.
For most people, navigation is about action, about moving toward a final destination. It is a means to an end. It is your job to get the visitor there on a clearly marked path as fast as possible.
Principles of successful navigation
Navigation that works should:
Be easily decipheredRemain consistent
Offer alternatives
Provide clear visual messages
Support the sites purpose
Support the users goals
Please remember when designing your site that you must develop a navigation scheme that works because users will come to rely on it. People will put up with poor graphics if your navigation gets them to the information they are seeking. Remain consistent. Keep your navigation in the same place throughout your site. Your main site navigation menu MUST be in the same location on every page or your visitor may be thrown off.
All men are not created equal and neither are browsers. Have an alternate means of transportation through your site. Most sites these days have a standard left side or top area slide out or drop down menu for navigation. This is all well and good but there are individuals who still roam the net without the Java setting enabled. There are others who refuse to update plugins. Unless your demographic excludes these individuals, as a developer or Webmaster, you have to plan for them.
Most sites include a simple text navigation at the bottom of each page. Putting anchors within the text also seems to work but this can be confusing if it is not presented in a simple, straightforward manner. Provide clear visual messages that can be easily deciphered. Use icons and alt tags. These can be easily located as a visitor traverses your site and provide a visual means of navigation. Visitors will learn to appreciate what area the image relates to and can quickly move to these areas. Imagine you are on your Mac or PC desktop. How long does it take you to dig into a file or area of your computer? Icons work. Your site should be no different. Navigational icons are no different than the shortcuts on your desktop and a regular visitor to your site can use these shortcuts in getting to the desired content.
In closing, your content may be mystifying and mysterious, but getting to it should not be.
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