Web+Navigation

= Web Navigation = toc Effective web navigation is a crucial component of any website. No matter how much time librarians spend selecting, writing and designing online resources for their patrons, if patrons cannot easily find and navigate through these resources, they are of no use. This article introduces major factors to consider when planning a site's navigation, provides examples of the major styles of web navigation and their appropriate use.

Factors to Consider
More than a purely aesthetic concern, the design of a web navigation structure can and should support users' knowledge of the site content, interest in the site content, and ability to get to the content they want. Navigation fonts must be legible, color contrast must be clear and sufficient "whitespace" provided. While the design of other aspects of the site may try to "push the envelope," navigation design should acknowledge the visual cues users are accustomed to based on their experiences across the web. Cameron Chapman describes expected design patterns. Also, site navigation is often the user's first glimpse of a site's content. Prominently placed navigation with clear, descriptive language can provide an overview and entice visitors to explore the site further.
 * Design**

Effective navigation orients users to A) what page they are on, B) how that page fits the in the larger site structure, and C) where users can go from there. This may be accomplished a number of ways (for example: breadcrumbs, highlighted text, or pointers), and in fact more than one way is preferred. Wording choice should reflect users' expectations based on their previous experience, not internal parlance. For example, though a website author may know that "the Converse Edge" is the name of a tutoring center, a link that says "Tutoring" will better meet site visitors' needs than that ambiguous title. Alternately, you can incorporate subtitles in a navigation menu. These can either further summarize the content behind the link (See example below) or clarify unfamiliar or ambiguous titles.
 * User Experience**



Navigation can be made more accessible to users with different abilities by providing a way to skip to the main content, and by ensuring the purpose of the navigation remains clear without images or styling. Accessible Web Navigation provides specific direction.
 * Accessibility**

When planning a new site, it is important to consider the site's intended maximum size and how growth will affect the navigation design and building method. Sites which will never have more than a few of pages can be handled with a simple navigation scheme hard-coded into each page. However, if a site is expected to grow substantially in size and complexity, it is wise to consider scalability and ease of management when selecting a building method.
 * Life-cycle Management**

Navigation Styles
The following are some of the most common navigation styles. Effective navigation often uses a combination of these styles, and always considers the conventions that have been established as these styles have been used across the web.

Top
Top navigation is most often used to denote major categories or as the sole navigation of blogs and other small sites. Dropdown menus can extend a user's understanding of a site's content at a glance.

Breadcrumbs
Breadcrumbs are used in conjunction with other forms of navigation to provide context and to help a user retrace their steps. The more complex a site is, the more necessary breadcrumbs become.

Side
Side navigation is often the "meat" of a site's navigation because the space allows for many links. Flyouts may be used in a way similar to dropdowns, however, they present a usability challenge as it can be more difficult to select the right topic.

Header/Footer
Headers and footers often display the "utilities" of a site, or the meta-navigation, as opposed to content navigation. "About Us," contact information, help, and site maps are commonly placed in header and/or footer navigation. They are also useful for secondary audiences, such as job seekers, employers or press, who are only interested in very specific content areas.

**References**

 * 1) Chapman, C. (2011, February 8). Guide to Website Navigation Design Patterns. //Six Revisions//. Retrieved November 22, 2011, from @http://sixrevisions.com/user-interface/navigation-design-patterns/
 * 2) Dunn, Z. (2009, September 14). Principles of Effective Web Navigation | Build Internet. //Build Internet//. Retrieved November 22, 2011, from @http://buildinternet.com/2009/09/principles-of-effective-web-navigation/
 * 3) P2H. (2010, March 24). Modern Web Navigation Trends & Best Practices. //P2H.com Blog//. Retrieved November 22, 2011, from @http://www.psd2html.com/blog/modern-web-navigation-trends-best-practices/