As of 2019, over one billion websites exist on the internet. The best website navigation examples will inspire you to improve your own website’s navigation design.
The number of active websites online has been steadily increasing over the years. Despite the popularity of having a website, too many people are still in the dark about what good web navigation design looks like.
The better your navigation design is, the easier it will be for users to find information on your site. The people who frequent your website will notice the improvement in user experience and appreciate it more than you know.
Here are five navigation designs you should consider for your website:
1. Website Navigation Examples: Hamburger Menu
A hamburger-style menu doesn’t appear until the user clicks on it. This menu’s namesake is the telltale icon that’s made of 3 parallel lines. (People say it resembles a hamburger.)
This kind of website navigation design is ideal for menus with a lot of options. The more intricate hamburger menus even have options that collapse into detailed lists of other options. This helps users navigate the site more efficiently.
Android popularized hamburger menus, but they’re becoming more popular with websites beyond that brand.
2. Fixed Navigation
Fixed navigation design is a menu bar that remains visible when you’re scrolling down. People refer to navigation examples like this as “sticky navigation” for this reason.
Fixed navigation makes it easier for users to access important information categories on your website. If you want to build brand awareness, place your business’s logo in the header.
Plus, this design improves SEO by increasing the number of page views you get during each user’s visit.
3. Fat Footer
A fat footer is a navigation system that functions as a primary or secondary menu. Usually, a footer only contains contact information and other important details, but a fat footer has more space for more options.
Much like other fixed navigation examples, the fat footer remains stationary at the bottom of your website. By being a fixture on your website, a fat footer will make it easier for users to find information there.
Learn more about fat footers and other easy ways to improve website navigation by checking out the aforementioned link.
4. Minimalism
Minimalist website navigation designs are very “in” right now. These designs make often use of white space and minimal anchor text. The purpose is to go easy on the users’ eyes while helping them find key elements quicker.
Minimalist navigation systems load quicker than other navigation designs do. That’s why having one will benefit your website’s SEO ranking.
If you can’t go the minimalist route, this next option is better for websites with a lot of menu options:
5. Mega Menu
The mega menu can accommodate more navigation options than any other kind of menu. Mega menus divide content into groups and columns. They often use visual elements to distinguish certain sections from others.
Mega menus are typically hamburger menus, so they don’t get in the way of viewing content. Just make sure you organize the content into digestible, cohesive categories for better user experience.
Users Will Thank You for This
Out of all internet users, 39 percent will stop engaging with websites that load too slowly. No matter what website navigation examples you follow, make sure they never increase your website’s loading time.
Around 38 percent of users will stop interacting with a website if its layout is unattractive. Your navigation design is an important aspect of your website’s aesthetic, so pay attention to it.
Drive traffic to your website and check out our content creation and SEO tips. Your website deserves the upgrade.