What is Web Navigation? Best 5+ Tips for implementing Web Navigation for newbies

If customers can’t find the page they want to visit on the Web Navigation (Menu Navigation) of your website, surely the bounce rate will increase and the time they spend on your website will be less.

These will have a negative effect on your revenue. So, how to improve the Website Menu? What is Web Navigation and how is this menu related, how to get the most out of it?

In this article, what are the methods of implementing Web Navigation will be listed in detail, with diversity and accuracy. You can create the perfect Web Navigation for your website. Let’s get started!

What is Web Navigation?

Web Navigation is the process of page navigation, applied to most websites on the Internet. Simply put, it is the process of linking internal pages together.

Web Navigation uses a menu containing the website’s Internal Links to help visitors easily find the page they need. Good redirects will affect the friendliness of the website for users.

What is Menu Navigation?

Menu Navigation (navigation menu) is a collection of links organized into a menu. Usually, the menu will be placed at the top of the page.

Some popular pages in the Web Navigation section are usually:

• Introduce
• Contact
• Blog
• Quotation / Service
• Document

You will have many other page links depending on the purpose and type of your Website.

What is Navigation Structure?

The Navigation Structure of the Website describes how the different pages of your Website are organized and connected to each other.

Web designers and developers often plan the Navigation Structure before creating a new website.

Example: You have only visited some pages and the content has already visited a specific page. The plan in the image below, if you want to access the Mission page, you need to go to the About page first.

Why is Navigation important for the website?

As mentioned in the introduction, it is difficult for visitors to find the website they need in the Web Navigation menu.

Building your catalog in an easy to understand and organized way will help improve the customer experience. From there, the time they spend on the website will be more and the conversion rate will also be higher.

Classification of Web Navigation

What is Web Navigation, how many types? It has 3 main types which are:

1. Global Navigation
2. Hierarchical Navigation
3. Local Navigation

When combined properly, these types of Web Navigation will make it easier for customers to get to the Website they need.

1. Global Navigation

For the global Web Navigation type. The menu bar and connections are designed to be identical on all pages.

Most websites today are developing in this direction. Regardless of whether a visitor clicks on any subpage of the Website, this Menu bar will follow. When the user scrolls the page, this menu bar is still displayed.

Global Menu is the most basic type. WordPress also provides Themes that allow you to build Web Navigation according to your needs. You can also add Plugins for more options.

2. Hierarchical Navigation

Hierarchical Navigation Web means that the menus will change depending on the context of each page. Most newspapers and websites specializing in content use this type of redirect.

Example: If you click on the front page of a newspaper. You will often see links to top news items in the title menu.

3. Local Navigation – Local Navigation

As opposed to hierarchical and global redirects. Local Navigation Web is the internal Link (Internal Link) cleverly inserted into the article.

You will easily see this type of Web Navigation on magazines, and blogs specializing in digital content. It makes it easier for readers to dig deeper into the issues they’re really interested in.

The Web Navigation is this custom color, and font style depending on the setting. In this case, it is colored blue to distinguish it from other regular themes.

Note: Global Navigation is an important aspect of SEO in general and WordPress SEO in particular. It is currently the standard method that any website manager needs.

9 Examples of Website Navigation

Instead of focusing on theory, let’s dive into an example of what Web Navigation is. I will present around News Website: The New York Times (NYT)

It looks like The New York Times mainly uses a single Global Header Menu for categories. But that’s not it. NYT uses all sorts of Web Navigation on hundreds of pages and millions of articles.

What are Web Navigation Types used to:

• Hierarchical
• Global
• Local

Now, let’s see the different Header Navigation for each Page.

Example 1. Homepage

In the Header Section of the NYT Website, there are two Menus. A Global Menu and a Hierarchical Menu. In essence, it’s the same way you set up Header and Sub-Header.

If you click on the Hamburger icon (3 dashes icon) on the Header. The website will now display a Web Navigation on the left side, where the margins are wide enough and suitable for most modern devices. This Web Navigation bar does not obscure any topic on the Website.

Example 2. Home (Mobile)

Most Internet users access news websites through their phones. Thus, the Mobile experience is more crucial than the Desktop experience.

Sub-Header The news section’s menu is not part of the mobile home page. Instead, you only have the expansion option available. When expanded, it becomes a full-screen Menu and covers all the content on the home page.

Includes every option from the main desktop menu and links neatly organized by category.

Example 3. Category page

On the category page, under Header Hamburger Menu. You will see links to a subset of other items.

It helps people who are only interested in a specific area within the broader subject matter. And easily find articles more relevant to their interests.

Example 4. Category page (Mobile)

On Mobile devices, these category pages include the same Menu and Header Hamburger structure as the Desktop version. Secondary Header Menu is not hidden at all to make Web Navigation and content discovery easier.

Another reason is that many Mobile experiences start through Search or Social Media. Instead of going directly to the NYT homepage.

Example 5. Single Article

For Single Articles, a Floating Header indicates the section you are currently in. But it only has the Global Menu as an extension (along with the Search Box – the search box).

Example 6. Single Article (Mobile)

On Mobile devices, Web Navigation is clearly maintained because the only Menu is the Header Hamburger Menu.

Example 7. Footer

The NYT Footer Menu is the same on the homepage, section pages and Single Articles.

Example 8. Footer (Mobile)

On Mobile devices, Footer Menu only displays 5 Menu items. They all expand into subsections after being Clicked on. For example, if you click on the Arts section, you’ll cycle through the following subsections:

Since the Website uses JavaScript to dynamically load more content when scrolling down, it seems that the Footer doesn’t exist at all. It’s a neat little trick to help edit the time on the Website. And attract readers to read more articles, but it makes Website a little harder to navigate the Web.

Example 9. Navigation Bar content layout

Some would argue the Navigation Tool that Newspaper and Blog uses is more than just a Menu. It was the newspaper layout that provided the Navigation Web backbone for the NYT and other similar sites.

All highlighted elements are clickable and go to various internal pages within the New York Times Website. Content layout is another important element of Web Navigation is what they implement on home page and other section pages.

8 Tips for implementing Web Navigation for beginners

Even if you are a person who does not know what Web Navigation is at all: After learning the 8 tips introduced below, you will also learn how to apply them properly for your Website.

Tip 1. Plan Page Structure and Web Navigation

Before you write content for your Website. Plan out what the Page Structure and Web Navigation are in advance.

This is an important step, it affects the satisfaction level of visitors to the Website later.

To create page structure and Web Navigation. You can use it manually or use the Web site map generator to model more quickly.

There are many creative programs that you can choose from, such as GlooMaps, Octopus, VisualSitemaps, Creately

Tip 2. Follow Navigation Web Standards

Don’t try to make anything too different. Know what Web Navigation is and focus on usability, not creativity.

Usual standards such as Menu placement, Menu extension signs should be followed.

Example: Three horizontal stripes ☰ (or three dots, letter V) is the standard that defines an Expanded Menu. If you apply for your Website, you should keep them the same so that customers can easily recognize them.

Tip 3. Use words that are easy for visitors to understand

Instead of using overly specialized, obscure words. Put yourself in the shoes of the first person on the Website to figure out how to use the right words.

This tip not only keeps visitors longer, but it also helps your SEO process. Make sure your page shows the results for the questions. As well as the words that customers often search for online.

Tip 4. Use Responsive Menu

Currently, the number of people using Mobile to search on Google is increasing (more than 50% online). Therefore, using the Responsive Menu is essential.

Responsive Menu has the ability to change depending on the screen size of the device. The Fonts will not jump around or the Menu will be jumbled up in the frame. The quick change of the Responsive Menu will bring a better and smoother experience for customers.

Tip 5. Take advantage of the Footer Menu

Visitors who read and scroll to the bottom of your Web page are the ones who show signs of wanting to engage more with your website. Take advantage of the empty space at the bottom of each page to put valuable content.

Because the Footer Menu position does not take up the space of the article but is in a separate area. You will easily add many items, and hot topics to the page without fear of creating a cluttered feeling.

Tip 6. Use color, and space to separate Navigation from other page elements

Use distinct colors, fonts, and spaces to separate the Menu from your main content and sidebars. Let’s clearly divide the area of ​​Web Navigation to make it easy for customers to recognize.

Tip 7. Limit the use of the Dropdown Menu

Except in case your Web site has too many pages with different properties. Please limit the use of Menu Dropdown, when users see a link in the Menu, they will default to it as clickable. So to avoid confusion, reduce the number of Dropdown Menus.
Having too many Links on the Main Menu bar can have a negative impact on users. Implementing the Dropdown menu now would be a good way to keep the menu bar from getting cluttered. However, remember not to overdo them.

Tip 8. Simple Navigation Bar Structure

If you want to make it as easy as possible for your visitors to discover all the pages on your Web. Keep the navigation structure as simple as possible. Instead of linking a bunch of pages and their subpages through the Home Page, keep things simple!

You need to make sure that the important categories are linked to the home page first. Then put the smaller links in the subsection.

There is a lot of evidence that “flattening” this structure will have a positive impact on SEO and boost Google Sitelinks visibility. So, don’t let your Web Navigation, as well as your website structure, be too messy!

Conclusion

This article must have given you a clearer view of what Web Navigation is. And the necessary principles when building Navigation Web.

Remember, page redirects should be designed to be simple and clear. Try to follow the best practices you have and take your time choosing the right words. They will help you make it easier for visitors and search engines to find your site’s content.

Good luck!