8 popular website navigation: UX navigation systems

As a website user, have you ever struggled to find the information you are looking for on a website? Have you ever felt frustrated while trying to navigate through a website? Well, website navigation systems are here to solve those problems.

Website navigation systems help users find the information they need and help website owners organize their website's content.

In this blog post, I will discuss eight different types of website navigation systems that you can use on your website.

What is website navigation?

Website navigation refers to the way users move around and access different parts of a website. It includes all the menus, links, buttons, and other elements that allow users to navigate from one page to another or access different sections of the website.

The goal of website navigation is to make it easy and intuitive for users to find the information they're looking for and to move around the website quickly and efficiently. Effective website navigation is essential for creating a good user experience.

Different types of website navigation systems

#1. Horizontal navigation bar

The horizontal navigation bar is a common navigation system used by many websites. It usually appears at the top of the webpage and includes a list of links that users can click on to navigate through the website. The horizontal navigation bar is simple and easy to use, making it a popular choice for many websites.

#2. Search bar

The search bar is another popular navigation system used by websites. It allows users to search for specific content on the website using keywords. The search bar is helpful for users who know what they are looking for and want to find it quickly.

#3. Dropdown menu

A dropdown menu is a navigation system that displays a list of options when a user hovers over or clicks on a button or link. Dropdown menus are a great way to organize a website's content and make it easier for users to find what they are looking for.

#4. Hamburger navigation menu

The hamburger navigation menu is a popular navigation system used by mobile websites and apps. It consists of three horizontal lines that appear at the top of the webpage. When a user clicks on the lines, a menu appears, allowing them to navigate through the website.

#5. Vertical sidebar menu

The vertical sidebar menu is a navigation system that appears on the left or right side of the webpage. It includes a list of links that users can click on to navigate through the website. The vertical sidebar menu is helpful for websites with a lot of content.

#6. Footer navigation menu

The footer navigation menu is a navigation system that appears at the bottom of the webpage. It includes a list of links that users can click on to navigate through the website. The footer navigation menu is helpful for users who have scrolled to the bottom of the webpage and want to navigate to other pages on the website.

#7. Category menu

The category menu is a navigation system that allows users to navigate through a website's content by category. It is helpful for websites that have a lot of content organized by different categories.

#8. Multimedia based menu

The multimedia-based menu is a navigation system that uses images or videos to help users navigate through a website's content. It is helpful for websites that have a lot of visual content, such as photography or videos.

#9. Mega menu

A mega menu is a type of dropdown menu that allows websites to include a lot of content in a single menu. It's great for websites that have a lot of categories or subcategories. When designing a mega menu, it's important to keep the menu organized and easy to navigate. It's also a good idea to include images or icons to help users quickly identify different categories.

#10. Breadcrumbs

Breadcrumbs are a type of navigation system that shows users their location within the website. It's typically displayed at the top of the page and shows the user the path they took to get to the current page. Breadcrumbs are great for websites that have a lot of content organized in a hierarchical structure.

#11. Tabbed navigation

Tabbed navigation is a type of navigation system that uses tabs to display different pages or sections of a website. It's great for websites that have multiple pages or sections that users might want to navigate to quickly. When designing tabbed navigation, it's important to make sure the tabs are clearly labeled and easy to understand.

#12. Image map navigation

Image map navigation is a type of navigation system that uses a single image as the navigation menu. When users click on different parts of the image, they're taken to different pages or sections of the website. It's great for websites that want to showcase their products or services visually.

#13. Pagination

Pagination is a type of navigation system that allows users to navigate through a series of pages. It's great for websites that have a lot of content, such as news websites or e-commerce websites. When designing pagination, it's important to make sure the page numbers are clearly labeled and easy to navigate.

#14. Tag-based navigation

Tag-based navigation is a type of navigation system that uses tags to categorize content. When users click on a tag, they're taken to a page that shows all the content with that tag. It's great for websites that have a lot of content that can be categorized in different ways.

#15. Fixed navigation

Fixed navigation is a type of navigation system that stays in the same place on the screen as the user scrolls through the website. It's great for websites that have a lot of content, as it allows users to quickly access the navigation menu without having to scroll back to the top of the page.

#16. Contextual navigation

Contextual navigation is a type of navigation system that changes depending on the context of the page the user is on. It's great for websites that have a lot of different types of content or features. For example, if a user is on a product page, the contextual navigation might show related products or accessories.

#17. Overlay navigation

Overlay navigation is a type of navigation system that appears on top of the content when the user clicks on a button or icon. It's great for websites that want to save space or have a minimalist design. When designing overlay navigation, it's important to make sure it's easy to close and doesn't obstruct the content.

How do navigation systems improve user experience?

#1. Easy Information Access

Navigation systems make it easy for users to find the information they're looking for quickly and efficiently. By providing clear and organized menus, links, and buttons, users can easily navigate to different parts of the website and find the content they need.

#2. Helpful Suggestions

Navigation systems can also make helpful suggestions to users based on their browsing history or search queries. This can help users find related content or products that they may be interested in, which can improve their overall experience on the website.

#3. Increased Website Accessibility

Navigation systems can also improve website accessibility for users with disabilities. By providing clear and organized navigation menus, users with visual impairments or other disabilities can more easily navigate the website and find the information they need.

#4. Value Creation

Navigation systems can create more value for website content by providing users with easy access to related content, products, or services. This can encourage users to spend more time on the website and engage with the content more deeply.

#5. Improved Website Attractiveness

Navigation functionalities such as dropdown menus, search bars, and other features can make a website more visually appealing and engaging for users. This can help keep users on the website longer and improve their overall experience.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, there are many different types of website navigation systems that you can use on your website. The type of navigation system you choose will depend on the type of content on your website and the needs of your users. By choosing the right navigation system, you can make it easier for users to find the information they need and improve their overall user experience.

Frequently asked questions 

Q1. What is the best type of navigation system for a website?

A: The best type of navigation system for a website will depend on the type of content you have and the needs of your users. However, some common types of navigation systems include horizontal navigation bars, dropdown menus, hamburger menus, and search bars. It's important to keep your navigation system simple, clear, and easy to use.

Q2. Why is website navigation important?

A: Website navigation is important because it helps users find the information they need quickly and efficiently. A well-designed navigation system can improve the user experience and encourage users to stay on the website longer. It can also help improve website accessibility and make your content more valuable.

Q3. How do I optimize my website navigation for SEO?

A: Here are some tips for optimizing your website navigation for SEO:

• Use descriptive labels for your menu items

• Include relevant keywords in your menu items

• Use internal linking to connect related content

• Use breadcrumb navigation to show the hierarchy of your pages

• Make sure your navigation is crawlable and easy for search engines to understand.

Q4. How many menu items should I have in my navigation system?

A: The number of menu items you should have in your navigation system will depend on the size and complexity of your website. However, it's generally recommended to keep your navigation system simple and limit the number of menu items to around 7-8.

Q5. What is a sitemap and how does it relate to website navigation?

A: A sitemap is a file that contains a list of all the pages on your website. It's used to help search engines crawl and index your website. While a sitemap is not a navigation system itself, it can help improve website navigation by providing a clear and organized structure for your website's pages.

Q6. What is the difference between a primary and secondary navigation menu?

A: A primary navigation menu is the main menu that appears at the top of a website, while a secondary navigation menu is a supplementary menu that appears below the primary menu or elsewhere on the website. Secondary menus are often used to provide access to less important or more specialized content.

Q7. What are breadcrumb links and how do they improve website navigation?

A: Breadcrumb links are a type of navigation aid that shows users where they are in the website hierarchy and allows them to easily navigate back to previous pages. Breadcrumb links can improve website navigation by providing users with a clear understanding of how the website is organized and helping them find their way around more easily.

Q8. How can I make my website navigation mobile-friendly?

A: Here are some tips for making your website navigation mobile-friendly:

• Use a hamburger menu or dropdown menu to save space

• Use larger font sizes and clear labels for menu items

• Make sure your navigation is easy to use with one hand

• Use responsive design to ensure your navigation adapts to different screen sizes.

Q9. What is a mega menu and when should I use it?

A: A mega menu is a type of dropdown menu that displays a large number of menu items in a grid or column format. Mega menus are useful for websites with a lot of content or complex navigation needs. However, they can also be overwhelming and confusing for users if not designed carefully.

Q10. How can I test the effectiveness of my website navigation?

A: Here are some ways to test the effectiveness of your website navigation:

• Conduct user testing to get feedback on the usability of your navigation system

• Use analytics tools to track how users interact with your website and identify any problem areas

• Conduct A/B testing to compare the performance of different navigation systems or menu options. 

• Use heatmaps to see where users are clicking and scrolling on your website

• Monitor your website's bounce rate to see if users are leaving your website quickly

• Conduct surveys to gather feedback from users on their experience with your website navigation

• Use tools like Google Search Console to track how well your website is ranking in search results, which can be an indication of how easily users are finding your content.