Design>Navigation
Website Navigation
Visitors should know exactly where they are and where they can go to from any page at all times. You must provide a simple method to navigate through your website using hyperlinks, navigation buttons, a navigation bar or the use of an image map.
Take the simplest path possible to create your navigation system. Simple text links is the easiest way for small sites, a navigation bar is the next best method, followed by the use of graphic buttons.
Check out the following web pages! Why do you think the first page would be considered a better designed page?
The second page does not highlight where you currently are. It is difficult to determine which page you should navigate to next as there are way too many options to choose from.
Key Design Tips in Relation to Navigation
Therefore when you are defining your website navigation remember the following:
Your navigation system should be repeated on every page in the site, and should be located at the top, left, right or bottom of your page.
Your navigation system should be easy to understand, use, and be consistent throughout your web site.
Your navigation system should tell visitors what page of the site they are currently on.
For a large website, say 10 or more pages, you should also provide a site map.
