Effective navigation stands out. It's clear, obvious, and highly visible.
You'll need to have a clear section of the page designated for navigation--one that a visitor will immediately recognize as the navigation area when he arrives at the site. Navigation should not necessarily be the prime focus, but it must be highly visible.
On many sites, the main navigation is overly subdued. It sort of "lurks" on the page, but it's not the kind of thing that really gets to a visitor's consciousness. It gets drowned out because there is too much color or excitement in the rest of the page.
Occasionally, this is ok. You may have some navigation options, such as a privacy policy, that need to be available, but don't need to be emphasized.
However, aside from those few exceptions, you'll want your navigation to be used. So it will need a voice loud enough to be heard above the excitement of the rest of the site.
Here are 4 tips to make sure your navigation stands out:
1. Put it in a prime spot
It's all about positioning. Give your main navigation good placement at the top or left of the page.
When visitors arrive at a page, they scan in an orderly pattern from left to right, starting in the top left corner and working down the page. So if your navigation is at the top or on the left, it's going to be seen fairly quickly. Also, this is where visitors expect to find navigation, so they'll be primed to notice it there.
2. Use color
Besides size, color is the best way to get something noticed on a page. You can use color very powerfully in drawing out your navigation.
A very common technique is to place navigation options on a colored field, on a horizontal bar or a sidebar. This is effective because it creates a strong contrast with other elements on the page.
Just remember, the brightest, most vivid, most saturated colors will stand out the most. You don't necessarily need to use a strong color for your navigation, but you do need to look at how your navigation color mixes with the rest of the page.
If you have a very bright site, pale colors in your navigation won't cut it. But if the site is fairly subdued, even a hint of color to draw out your navigation will be plenty of contrast.
3. Give it space
If your navigation has a lot of clutter around it, it stands a smaller chance of getting noticed. In a busy situation, people do not notice detail. It's very hard for them to pick out specific items. Think about the difficulty of trying to find somebody in a crowded room.
Visitors will pick out the elements of your page that have the most breathing room. So be sure to leave plenty of space around your navigation. Don't let other elements--especially other text--get so close that the navigation is crowded out.
4. Separate it from ads
If want your navigation to be noticed, keep it away from ads.
People on the web are highly suceptible to "banner blindness". That's a real condition in which people ignore anything that is associated with an ad. Since most people are not fond of ads they try to avoid them. So keep ads and navigation physically separated. Don't let them get mixed together.
Two key pointers: never put navigation above the logo. Since banners are frequently located in the center of the top of the page, that's a prime spot to be ignored.
Also, if you have a blank, empty white space between your logo and something on the right side of the page, be very careful about filling it with navigation. It will be confused with banners simply because of guilt by association.
In addition to physically separating ads and navigation, you should make sure that your navigation doesn't LOOK like an ad. Square or rectangular buttons and images at the top and sides of the page are especially problematic.
For example, take a look at http://www.sendfree.com. Notice that the member login button is not very obvious as navigation. It has an ad-like appearance and it's in an area of the page where visitors would expect to see an ad.
Critically evaluate all of your buttons and images to make sure they won't be mixed up with ads. Don't leave any confusion in a visitor's mind about where ads stop and navigation begins.
Position, color, space, and separation from ads. There you have it--four tips for making your navigation stand out.
About The Author
There are 605.6 million people online. Can they find your business? Jamie Kiley creates powerful and engaging websites that make sure YOUR company gets noticed. Visit http://www.sendfree.com. for a free quote. Get a quick, free web design tip every two weeks--sign up for Jamie's newsletter: http://www.sendfree.com.
Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareI want to give you a free web page template... Read More
Making a successful online business can be a long and... Read More
To build a website, there are four methods to choose... Read More
They may look cutting edge, but if you want a... Read More
This article gives free tips on how to find a... Read More
Web Design is a very subjective process. Your idea of... Read More
I hate to imagine that in your web development project... Read More
"How to turn "slightly interested" customers into "I've got to... Read More
In the early years of the internet the actual design... Read More
To create your own great banner, you only need five... Read More
Content is the most important part of any website.The Internet... Read More
Chris, a new consulting client, asked me to help him... Read More
In this article we will be looking at why you... Read More
Before you take a road trip it is usually a... Read More
One of the single most important aspects of effective navigation... Read More
Most websites use similar fonts and as a result have... Read More
The trend today to overuse animation in a website's opening... Read More
Getting traffic to your website is not the only factor... Read More
Content is king. Without content your website is an empty... Read More
With the advent of the Internet a whole new vista... Read More
There are two camps when it comes to flash web... Read More
Whether you're hiring a designer who has created 10 sites... Read More
1. DO NOT use excessive graphics or banner images on... Read More
The first immutable law of effective navigation: It's gotta be... Read More
There are many companies who build websites, all of which... Read More
Antigo wedding limo ..Not too long ago while looking for businesses that do... Read More
The "Wow" factor that accompanied the introduction of streaming media... Read More
If someone doesn't know you personally, will they trust you... Read More
If there's one thing that most web site developers can... Read More
The ability to create simple, attractive and functional web pages... Read More
Many people today are tired of the Microsoft software that... Read More
This is my second article on maximising web site viewability.... Read More
You have only 10 seconds to impress your potential buyer.... Read More
You spend time and money promoting your website; but what... Read More
First off, I am a designer. Now you're thinking, here's... Read More
Just because you are a small business with an even... Read More
Web Site Awards are given from other sites to reward... Read More
Even after you've managed to bring traffic to your site... Read More
They may look cutting edge, but if you want a... Read More
Many web site designers don't design their sites for the... Read More
This may comes as a surprise to you but, if... Read More
Most websites use similar fonts and as a result have... Read More
Traffic to a site can be a blessing or a... Read More
If you have a website, you want your visitors to... Read More
An "include" file is a piece of code that can... Read More
Now that you have decided that it is time to... Read More
Colors have long been known to have psychological affects on... Read More
Creating your web site can be a tricky process. Choosing... Read More
Designing your own successful web page can seem difficult and... Read More
Creating an appealing, functional, and effective Web site is much... Read More
Web Design |