Good navigation helps website visitors quickly find what they need.
For your business, this leads to more sales and happier customers.
Your website’s navigation is a roadmap for your business.
When potential customers visit your website, they’re looking for specific information.
For example, they may want to know more about what you offer, how you compare to competitors, find your contact details, etc.
Most visitors won’t stick around if they can’t find what they need within a few seconds.
Clear website navigation isn’t just a design choice. It’s essential for keeping potential buyers on your site.
Here are my top tips to help you provide an excellent experience for your visitors:
1. Keep everything simple
Your main menu will ideally include no more than 5-7 items, which are your most popular or important pages.
Too many choices in your menu can lead to confusion.
2. Show visitors where they are
Use an alternate colour or line decoration to highlight the current page in your menu.
This helps visitors to understand where they are and eliminates frustration.
3. Be accessible
Around 20% of your website visitors may struggle with their vision or have other accessibility needs.
Visitors should be able to easily navigate your menu using just their keyboard.
4. Use clear labels
Try not to be too fancy with the labels in your menu.
A clear and direct label like “Services” often works better than “What We Do”.
5. Make your logo clickable
Visitors often click a company’s logo to return to the homepage.
Even if you include a “Home” link in your menu, ensure your logo is clickable and returns a visitor to your homepage.
6. Add a search option
If your website has more than a few pages, consider adding a search option.
Some visitors prefer searching for specific information rather than clicking around your website.
Try to make it easy for everyone.
An easy way to test your website’s current navigation is to think like a first-time visitor.
Take a look at your website and ask yourself this question: “Can a first-time visitor find our most important page(s) in under 5 seconds?”
If you can’t answer yes, your navigation should be reviewed and improved.
