Navigation Schemes: Issues and Concerns

By Margarita Figueroa, Earth Council
May 2001

After reading this article, the reader should:

• have a list of elements that can help in the navigation of their Web site; and
• be able to create a navigation scheme that fits their organization's needs.

After the goals and structure have been decided upon, you are ready to take this information and build your Web site. A well-designed structure makes it easy to define the navigation system and, combined with an effective visual design, enables the users to construct a mental map of the site.

To begin, you must decide on clear labels for each section and concise and explanatory wording for each button. This will give the user an overall picture of the content, as well as help the user know the destination of each link.

It is a good idea to draw sketches of the possible layouts of your Web site as it would show up on the first screen, keep a mental note of some of the following issues:

How will users get from one place to another?

Provide different alternatives for the user to find what they are looking for. Following are some of the most common solutions:

A navigation bar: you have already defined the major sections of your content that you can use for the "global navigation system". The navigation bar should be repeated on every page to help the user go from one major section to another, and keep them oriented throughout the site.

Some tips:

• The global navigation bar should be one of the first elements to upload; the user should have the tools to navigate on hand.
• It should be in a prominent position (not all users have the same monitor size so the most important information should go on the top).
• It is important for the global navigation bar to be as legible as possible (there is nothing more frustrating than not being able to read the buttons).
• Multi-language sites: if the site will be translated into different languages, it is important for the user to clearly see the buttons for their respective language. The top section of the site should allow users to transfer between languages.
• Local navigation: some major topics might need local navigation. This might be handled by creating a list of topics, a menu of choices, or a side annotation of a few related items. The key here is to make sure that there is a difference in hierarchy between the "global navigation bar" and the "local navigation bar."

Hyperlinks: Hyperlinks can take the user to a specific section on the same page or they can take them to a completely different page. Be consistent in the use of hyperlinks, the user should be able to tell which parts of your site are interactive and which are not.

Some tips:

• Target Navigation: when the documents are too big, it is a good idea to have a list of topics at the top of the page and link them to the section where the topic is developed.
• It is useful to remind users where they've been by having the links change colour after being visited.
• Avoid making entire sentences links. It's cleaner and simpler to link off one word or a short phrase.

Search engines: a search engine is a useful tool when you have an archive of documents, publications, speeches, videos, etc., on the site. It will allow the user to find information quickly with key words or phrases. The search feature should also be easily seen on the first screen. There are different companies that offer search features for free, try:

• http://www.atomz.com
• http://www.google.com/services/
• http://www.freefind.com/

Sitemaps: these are useful when the Web site has many levels to give the user an overall picture of the site and help them locate where they want to go. Options for the sitemap include a flow chart, a graph or an outlined list. Whichever you use, think about the clarity for the user and maintenance for the administrator. If you decide to use a sitemap, make it easily accessible in your layout and place it consistently on all pages.

How do you prevent them from getting lost?

Consistency is a key component in helping the user stay oriented on your site. Reusing architecture elements (navigation bars, sitemaps, etc.), design elements (logos, colours, etc.) and naming conventions throughout the site, allows the user to concentrate on the content.

Use the "convention buttons": some buttons have become widespread practice in Web sites which can be useful for navigating the site.

Some tips:

• It should be easy to return to the home page. The logo of your organization is an element that can be included in your global navigation and can be the link back to the initial page.
• Some icons are easily understood: the magnifying glass is for searching the site, envelopes are for e-mailing, a shopping cart is for a list of products the user has selected, etc. Browse other sites and take a note of what icons others use to make their navigation clearer.
• Arrows: arrows are for linear links. These can direct the user to the previous page, next page or top of the page.

Three click rule: simplifying the Web site is a way to help the user find their way and keep them at your site. It is good practice to make information no more than three clicks away. The more levels your site has, the harder it will be to get to that information.

Keep the user oriented: display the path the user has gone through. There are many Web sites that use this as local navigation. This also helps the user relate the section they are in with the rest of the content on your site:

Thinking about the user

The design of the site should be thought out carefully. When you decide on what colours and graphics to use, keep in mind that the design should reflect the original goals and that the visual aids (photographs, diagrams, buttons, headings, etc.) help communicate the message of each section of your site.