What is navigation?
Navigation is the way users move around a website, app, or any digital interface to find the information or features they need. It includes menus, buttons, links, and other controls that guide users from one page or screen to another.
Let's break it down
- Menu bar: A list of options usually at the top or side of a screen.
- Links: Clickable text or images that take you to another page.
- Buttons: Visual elements that trigger actions like “Next” or “Back.”
- Breadcrumbs: A trail that shows the path you’ve taken (Home > Category > Item).
- Search bar: Lets you type keywords to jump directly to what you’re looking for.
Why does it matter?
Good navigation makes it easy for visitors to find what they want quickly, which keeps them happy and reduces the chance they’ll leave. It also helps search engines understand the structure of a site, improving its visibility in search results.
Where is it used?
- Websites and blogs
- Mobile apps (e.g., banking, shopping)
- Desktop software (e.g., photo editors)
- Smart TV interfaces and other connected devices
- In‑car infotainment systems
Good things about it
- Improves user experience and satisfaction
- Increases time spent on a site and conversion rates
- Helps organize content logically
- Makes the product accessible to people with different abilities when designed properly
Not-so-good things
- Poorly designed navigation can confuse users and cause them to abandon the site.
- Too many menu items overwhelm visitors and make decisions harder.
- Overly complex navigation may slow down page loading times.
- If not responsive, it can break on mobile devices, leading to a bad experience.