The internet is full of people wandering around seeking for information, surfing through the links and images they find interesting. The first thing that will guide visitors when they arrive to a website is a proper navigation.
Any websites are able to get any visitors from any places at any time. Visitors need navigation to be able to browse through the information the website is giving. And if a visitor at a site is unable to navigate for the information they seek, they will surely get lost among the pages and leave in frustration.
If the internet is the sea and your site is the ship, without the proper navigation to guide your ship, the ship will eventually sink if this continues to happen.
Navigation for Website
A good website design should have a good navigation structure. This means that the visitors can find the information they need with ease. Visitors should not need to click more than three times during their navigation, to find the information they are searching for.
1. Navigation Styles
These can range from navigation buttons, navigation bars, plain text links, drop-down menus to animated graphics. A website can also use illustrations, pictures or graphic images to show the visitors around.
2. Primary and Secondary Navigation
Primary navigation consists of the navigation elements that are accessible from most to all locations within the site. And secondary navigation elements are the ones that allow the user to navigate within a specific location.
3. Guided Navigation
Guided navigation is a technique in which the website is able to guide the visitor through its pages. Links are provided for the next step and establishing links that keep the users on track continues the process. These links should supply the necessary information, as well as an alternate course clearly marked to allow the visitor to exit.
The Proper Navigation
To create a proper navigation, the website should first determine its goals, its purpose and the needs of its audience. Generally, good navigation includes several characteristics:
- Easy to learn elements.
- Provides clear visual messages.
- Offers clear and understandable labels.
- Remains appropriate to the site's purpose.
- Remains consistent.
- Provides feedback.
- Appears in context.
- Supports visitors goals and behaviors.
- Offers alternatives.
Since the search for information on the World Wide Web has recently become a mine field among the wilderness, navigation that allows visitors to find information quickly and easily will contribute to a website's success.
A fast and simple navigation structure is also an essential for a successful website. Visitors must have a good experience before they want to return.
Navigation structure should be designed with the visitor in mind. Since returning customers are the happy ones, websites should be able to eliminate any abstables that will annoy or frustrate them since these will make them leavve and never wish to return.