Navigation pages are an essential part of any website. They help users find the content and features they are looking for and understand the structure and hierarchy of your site. However, not all navigation pages are created equal. Depending on your site's purpose, content, and design, you may need to use different types of navigation pages to optimize your user experience.
In this article, we will explore some of the most common types of navigation pages for websites and their advantages and disadvantages. We will also provide some examples of websites that use them effectively.
Horizontal Navigation Menu
A horizontal navigation menu is a list of links that are displayed horizontally across the top or bottom of your website header. It is one of the most widely used types of navigation pages because it is easy to implement and familiar to users.
A horizontal navigation menu usually contains the main categories or sections of your website, such as Home, About Us, Services, Blog, Contact Us, etc. It can also include submenus that expand when users hover over or click on a parent link.
Some advantages of a horizontal navigation menu are:
- It saves vertical space on your website layout
- It allows users to see all the main options at a glance
- It works well with responsive design
Some disadvantages of a horizontal navigation menu are:
- It can be difficult to fit many links in a limited space
- It can be hard to read if the font size is too small or the contrast is too low
- It can be confusing if there are too many submenus or levels
An example of a website that uses a horizontal navigation menu effectively is HubSpot. The menu contains six main links that cover their core offerings and audience segments. The submenus provide more details and options without overwhelming users.
Vertical Navigation Menu
A vertical navigation menu is a list of links that are displayed vertically along the left or right side of your website layout. It is more personalized and stylish than a horizontal navigation menu and can create a distinctive look for your site.
A vertical navigation menu can also contain submenus that expand when users hover over or click on a parent link. However, unlike a horizontal navigation menu, it can also use icons or images instead of text to represent different categories or sections.
Some advantages of a vertical navigation menu are:
- It can accommodate more links than a horizontal navigation menu
- It can use visual elements to enhance user engagement
- It can create a sense of hierarchy and order
Some disadvantages of a vertical navigation menu are:
- It takes up horizontal space on your website layout
- It can be hidden or collapsed on smaller screens
- It can be distracting if it scrolls with the page content
An example of a website that uses a vertical navigation menu effectively is Spotify. The menu uses icons and text to represent different music genres and playlists. The submenus provide more options and filters without cluttering the interface.
Conclusion
Navigation pages are an important part of your website design because they help users find what they need and understand how your site works. There are different types of navigation pages you can use depending on your site's purpose, content, and design. Some common types are horizontal menus,
vertical menus,
dropdown menus,
hamburger menus,
breadcrumbs,
mega menus,
and responsive card grid menus.
Each type has its own pros and cons so you need to choose wisely based on your user research and testing.
FAQs
Q: What is website navigation?
A: Website navigation is the process of discovering and journeying through different pages of a website using hyperlinks (internal links) and menus (navigation bars).
Q: Why is website navigation important?
A: Website navigation is important because it affects the user experience (UX) and SEO (search engine optimization) of your website.
Good website navigation helps users find what they want quickly and easily, reduces bounce rates, increases conversions, and improves site ranking.
Q: How do I improve my website's navigation?
A: To improve your website's navigation you need to:
- Organize your content into clear categories and subcategories
- Create a sitemap that shows how your pages are connected
- Use descriptive labels for your links and menus
- Use consistent styles and colors for your menus
- Test your menus with real users and get feedback