What is navigation?
Navigation, specifically online or web navigation, as the name suggests, is the means by which a user makes their way around the web using their browser and within a website or app using navigation buttons and links.
If you want a more in-depth understanding of this topic, check out the FAQ section below:
Question #1: How can I improve the navigation of my website or app?
To improve the navigation of your website or app, you need to focus on a single goal: to make the experience as simple and intuitive as possible for the user.
Below are seven tips to help you do just that:
- Plan. Do not make things up as you go. Instead, design a clear structure right from the get-go. Identify where everything will go and plan out the entire user journey before you move on to the design and development stage.
- Mind your language. Use clear, simple, descriptive language that your target users would understand. The idea is to make it as easy and simple as possible for each user to accomplish their objective for using your website or app.
- Be conventional. Unless you figure out a better, more efficient way of doing something, it is better to stick to design conventions that people instinctively know how to navigate. This eliminates potential issues down the line.
- Make your primary navigation visible and easily accessible. Do not make the user work hard to get anywhere or accomplish anything on your website or app. If things get too frustrating, there is a big chance that they will just switch over to your competitors.
- Link your logo to your home page. This applies to websites in particular. A lot of people expect your logo to be clickable and act as a quick way to go back to your homepage. Do not disappoint them.
- Tell the user where they are at all times. Use visual cues such as highlighted buttons or breadcrumbs to keep the user from feeling lost.
- Test and adjust. Not everyone navigates websites or apps the same way—not even everyone in your specific target audience. This means that a navigation setup that works for some would not necessarily work for others. So, be sure to test yours and see what you can do to make it as good as it can be.
Question #2: What is the difference between navigation and user experience (UX) design?
The biggest difference between navigation and user experience (UX) design is that the former is just one part of the latter.
UX, as the name suggests, is concerned with the overall experience of using a website or app. It involves making sure that all elements—from the copy and visuals all the way to the loading times—all contribute to making interacting with the website or app enjoyable for the user.
Question #3: What are the benefits of a good website?
The benefits of good website or app navigation include:
- More traffic/a larger user base – When your website or app is a joy to use, it is only natural that more people would want to use it. Some would even tell their family and friends about it.
- Lower bounce rate – Getting people to check out your website or app is one thing. Getting them to actually stay and use it is an entirely different story—and having good navigation is a step towards making that happen.
- Increased conversion rate – When you make it easy for people to convert on your website or app, more people naturally do.
Question #4: What are the effects of a poor website?
The biggest effects of poor website or app navigation are as follows:
- Less traffic/smaller user base – When your website or app is frustrating to use, fewer people would want to use it—and those who experience it might even warn others to stay away.
- Higher bounce rate – Even if you get people to check out your app or website, if it is extremely challenging to use, then it is highly likely that they will leave within the first few seconds.
- Lower conversion rate – With fewer people using your website or app, you have fewer chances to convert. And even those who are willing to take action might end up not doing anything just because it is too challenging to do.
Keep in mind that unless you offer one-of-a-kind content, products, or services, your target users would probably not have the patience to figure out how to get around your website or app and just switch over to an alternative.