s you browse the Web, you factors in mind:
will find sites that
implement just about every Visual
type of navigation scheme you can
think of and then even some more! Does the technique look and like
However, certain common factors a navigation element that users
do emerge. The use of menu bars, are accustomed to seeing? In
either horizontally or vertically other words, is it a button or a
oriented, are the most common way menu that users will recognize as
of allowing users to move through a navigation element?
your site.
Feedback
Sites with a great deal of
content often implement dynamic Does the technique offer some
menu bars that change to present form of feedback to indicate that
the most relevant options on each a user has pointed at or clicked
page. Sites often use some kind a particular navigation element?
of “feedback” or special effect This type of feedback can be
to let users know where certain important because users often
navigation elements are located, explore a site by moving their
such as graphics that change mouse around to see what happens.
colors when the users point their Navigation techniques that allow
mouse at them. individual elements to respond to
this activity make the overall
You can use a variety of navigation more likely to
technologies and design elements succeed.
to implement Web site navigation.
As you consider different Accessibility
navigation techniques, keep the
following seven basic comparison How does the technique work when
a visually impaired person added. Others may simply require
attempts to use the site with a a few minor modifications to add
specially equipped Web browser? several new departments to a
If this demographic is important menu.
to your company, pay special
attention to this capability. Space
Overhead Some techniques, combined with
your site’s browsing philosophy,
Some techniques require the Web require considerable space on the
browser to server to transfer screen. Other techniques allow
more data to the Web browser than you to present a wider array of
is required by other techniques. navigation choices while using
If your customers will be less screen space. Keep in mind
accessing the site over slower that your navigation elements
connections, then using should never occupy the majority
techniques with a high overhead of the screen. It is the content
will result in slow page loads, that your customers came for, not
and possibly bored customers who the menu bars.
will give up and move on to the
competition. Compatibility
Scalability How well wills this technique
work within the available range
Does the technique offer any of Web browsers? If one of your
particular advantages to make objectives is to have your site
growing the site easier? Some usable by as many customers as
navigation designs may require possible, pay attention to the
you to redesign the entire site techniques that offer a broad
every time a new feature is range of compatibility, and steer
away those that are limited to a
smaller set of browsers. Dynamically Generated Static HTML
Navigation Technologies
If your site is constantly
To implement Web site navigation, growing and changing, static HTML
you can use one of four primary will require a constant effort to
technologies. The oldest and keep the navigational elements in
simplest of these technologies is line with the site’s growth. A
the basic, static HTML page. A common solution to this problem
step up from that is the static has been to dynamically generate
HTML page, which is dynamically the navigation elements when the
generated on the Web server. Web page displays. When using the
pages can be given more DHTML, you don’t have to manually
interactive capabilities with update elements as the site
Dynamic HTML (DHTML), whether grows, because an automated
programmed in VBScript or process generates the navigation
JavaScript. Java presents the elements as necessary, based on
opportunity to program a the information in a database.
complete, standalone application
to use as a navigation aid. VBScript and JavaScript Dynamic
HTML
Static HTML
DHTML is a technology that allows
Static HTML links are the oldest you to embed programming code in
and simplest form of navigation the Web pages that are sent to
on the Web. They can be less user’s computers. DHTML code
exciting than their dynamic actually executes within the
counterparts, but remain one of users Web browser, and can change
the most effective navigational the appearance and content of the
techniques on the Web. Web page in response to the
user’s actions on the page. factors in mind. Visitors are
becoming rare and rare in this
In Finality competitive globe of e-commerce.
Retain those who visit to your
You can use a variety of site for longer period in order
technologies and design elements to convert them as customers.
to implement Web site navigation. Site navigation techniques help
As you consider different you to do so.
navigation techniques, keep the
above seven basic comparison
About the Author:
David Davis, is the lead developer and project manager of RedflyStudios LTD. Web Design Ireland For more information visit http://www.redflystudios.com
Read more articles by:
Dave Davis
Article Source: www.iSnare.com 
