Why is it essential to take into account navigation?
First, what is web navigation exactly? In sum, it is the capacity for your visitors to find the information they are looking for. Websites have a specific structure that we must consider during the creation process. It is why we often find the same pages on all websites (homepage, about us page, contact). If someone visits your website but cannot find what they are looking for, they will not come back, which will harm your SEO.
Many elements of your website navigation have a direct impact on your SEO. For example, if your visitors do not stay on your site or do no action, it tells Google that you did not meet their needs. Consequently, check regularly your website bounce rate and the time spent.
8 Tips to improve your website navigation
The most important thing to remember is to think like a visitor. Can they browse through your website pages and easily find what they are looking for? Here are 8 tips to improve your website navigation.
A complete menu in the header
When visitors discover your website, they expect to find a menu in the header. A menu can then help them find what they are looking for and have an overview of the different pages available on your site. Unless you decide otherwise, the menu is also on the top of all your pages, which eases the navigation through the different sections of your website.
A homepage that summarizes everything
The homepage is often the most important page of your website. Why? Simply because it is the first page your visitors will see most of the time. Your homepage must then be attractive and serve as a summary of your entire website. Indeed, on your homepage, we should understand what your site is about and find different links to other pages and sections.
The most important information should be located on the top of the page
As we mentioned above, they are some rules to follow regarding the ideal structure of websites. Indeed, we should find the most important information on the top of your pages, not at the bottom. Since web navigation is directly related to the ease people have finding wanted information, answer the questions your visitors may ask themselves and ensure the answers are easy to find.
Use the footer
Your website footer can be a strong ally to improve your site navigation. Indeed, you can use this specific space to add links to all the important sections of your website. You may have already noticed that many businesses do that with their sites. Thus, if your visitors did not find the information they were looking for, they will have access to another summary of your site on the footer.
Use call-to-action buttons
Another way to improve your website navigation is to use call-to-action buttons. This tool is helpful if you want to encourage your visitors to discover other sections of your site. Moreover, ensure to use short words when creating a call-to-action button (for example, visit, order, book, learn more) and try to capture people’s attention by choosing a bright color. In sum, your call-to-action buttons must stand out from the rest of your website.
Pages that load quickly
We all know that loading speed is an essential element of your website. If your visitors must wait many seconds before accessing the wanted information, there are great chances that they decide to leave. A way to improve your website loading speed is to use light pictures. Many tools can reduce the weight of your site images if needed.
Aim for a simple design
There are many reasons why most websites created today are simple. One of them is that it is easier to promote important elements of a website with a simple design. You must keep in mind that all elements you add to your site have visual weight. For example, finding the wanted information is more complicated if many buttons or pictures catch your attention.
Your logo should be linked to the homepage
Here is a simple tip: make sure to link your logo to your homepage. When visitors click on your logo, they expect to be sent automatically to the homepage. This is not a written rule, but it can improve your website navigation. If you already have a website created with WebSelf, click on the header, and edit the image (the logo). Then, click on the chain icon to link your logo to a page of your site.
In conclusion, most rules about website navigation are based on common sense. The easier it is to navigate the different sections and find the wanted information, the more your visitors will be satisfied with your website. If you are looking for other tips for your site, look at our article 9 tips from our graphic designers. Good luck!