s people “browse” the Web,
they “land” on a page and Web designers use global
“navigate” on a website. To navigation for medium-sized and
find their way around they need a small websites to categorize the
“navigation” system. Navigation main points of interest.
is as important for web design as Hierarchical navigation refers to
for a real life drive: when you large websites – such as web
drive on a new road you want to directories, article directories,
see clear marked destinations, news portals and so on. This
exits and parking lots. You want approach is somehow confusing for
to know where you are and where web novices: they cannot really
you go. So do your visitors. Fail find their way, especially when
to provide a clear road map and the navigational structure is not
they will go back to where they clear (some web designers omit
came from. Navigation should be important navigational elements
clear and simple. Or better: such as “you are here”, “back”,
standard. That means: don’t go “next page” etc.)
around renaming buttons. Use
“home” for your index; not “back One important note about local
to base”. Although this “back to navigation: it works great when
base” is rather clear, not all you need cross traffic. You could
the web users are in the mood for use embedded links to lead your
riddles, nor do they have the visitors to information that is
time to start learning your somewhere else on your website or
rules, your style, or your on a different website. But if
symbols. you need to link to another
website use a target=”_blank”
There are three major types of approach that will open the link
navigation: global, local and in a new window. That’s how the
hierarchical. visitors will not lose the path
back to your website. No matter where you want to place
the nav bar, remember: keep it
Many times web designers use a simple. Take a look at the
mix of the three navigational websites of big corporations. For
styles, depending on the size of example Philips placed the nav
a website, its categories and the bar at the top to define the main
importance of these categories. categories and uses a java script
As a rule all sites have a global to help users navigate to
navigation principle: the particular points of interest. On
navigation bar. Standard secondary pages Philips is using
placements of the navigation bar a left navigation bar. All in
are on the top or along the left one, the web designers that
side of the screen. Some created the website for Philips
designers place the nav bar on used all three major types of
the right side – but users are navigation, but the design
not really familiar with this respects one radical principle:
approach. The worse practice is “Sense and simplicity”. That’s
promoted by flash designers who right: Philips’ slogan applies
ignore web usability standards perfectly as a fundamental rule
and make the visitors “guess” when it comes to web design.
where the links are.
About the Author:
Scott Lindsay is a web developer and entrepreneur. He is the founder of HighPowerSites and many other web projects. HighPowerSites is the easiest do-it-yourself website builder on the web. No programming or design skill required. Get your own website online in just 5 minutes with http://HighPowerSites.com at: http://www.highpowersites.com
Read more articles by:
Scott Lindsay
Article Source: www.iSnare.com 
