The Importance of Navigation in Website Design
There are certain factors that accompany a website, like title tags, images, content and navigation. However, most website lack in a proper navigation. This lacks to address to the requirements of the customer. The websites are pretty and impressive in design but inadequate in navigation. Incorporating seamless navigation does not mean that the website is able to address the requirements of the customer.
For a great website design, implementing proper navigation is important, as it would be improving the overall performance of the website. It would retain the customers, and keep them committed to it. These viewers can convert into sales. The following are some of the steps by which a web developer can improve the overall website navigation.
Firstly, it is important that the navigation is consistent throughout the website. It should be promoting seamless usability and increase the ability to find the relevant information. If the mode of navigation alters with each web page, there is a chance that the audience can leave the site. Secondly, it is imperative to create navigation that is clear and visually defined. Each category should be separated and visually appealing to the end-users. Thirdly, the navigational links existing in the website should be clickable links. Other than this, it is important that accurate navigation titles be used. The end-user should be having a general synopsis of the web page before they click on the navigational link. This is the reason that accurate text should be used to avoid confusing the visitor. The link verbiage, texts and the images used should project the sentiment of the web page. Fifthly, if the web page has a clickable image, it should be accompanying with an ALT text. This is true for any image existing in the website, however, it should also include ALT attribute with descriptive text. This would ensure that the audience is aware of what the link is about despite of whether they are viewing the website. Lastly, it is important to ascertain that the search (if integrated within the website) is working. The in-site search option should display the most relevant results. The search should be able to compensate for misspellings and grammatical errors. It should still be able to show the related items and produce the results according to the needs of the user. It is important to remember that whatever term is being searched for, the search result should not display “no products found.”
The easiest way to ascertain whether the navigation is working or not can be concluded by browsing competitors’ website. This would provide a feedback on what is needed and how to tackle problems. The comparison with the competitor’s website would help in recovering strategies. Applying new tactics would also provide a competitive edge. Various search analytics tools would also help in determining the type of navigation needed. It would present a report, which would provide an insight on which web pages are visited the most, and which reports the highest bounce rate. The changes in navigation should be implemented and tested in A/B environments. It is important to implement solutions that would enhance the user experience and increase the usability of the website.
Each attribute is important for a website. If the navigation is faulty, too complex or confusing in nature, there are chances that the website would lose its customers. Seamless navigation helps in marketing the website, as they are easily accessible from anywhere.
About the Author
To accomplish a great website design or a custom web design it is important to ensure that it has a proper navigation. Steven Brown thinks that to designing the navigation of a website is an art in itself. It needs careful evaluation and analysis. Appropriate navigation would ensure intuitive user experience and more returns.
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