Navigation

Navigation is the set of interface elements that help users move through a website or app and find what they're looking for. Good navigation is invisible; bad navigation is frustrating.

Types of Navigation

Global navigation: Main menu, always present Local navigation: Section-specific menus Utility navigation: Account, settings, help Breadcrumbs: Show current location Footer navigation: Secondary links, sitemap Search: Direct access to content

Principles of Good Navigation

✅ Findable: Users can locate what they need ✅ Clear: Labels make sense ✅ Consistent: Same across all pages ✅ Simple: Not overwhelming (5-7 items ideal) ✅ Accessible: Keyboard and screen reader friendly

Common Navigation Patterns

Horizontal menu: Traditional top navigation Hamburger menu: Mobile-first, hidden menu Mega menu: Large dropdown with categories Sidebar: Vertical navigation panel Tabs: Section switching

Designing Navigation

1. Card sort: Understand user mental models
2. Limit top-level items: 5-7 maximum
3. Use clear labels: User language, not jargon
4. Tree test: Validate findability
5. Mobile-first: Works on all devices

Card sorting is the foundation of great navigation - try it free at freecardsort.com