Table of Contents
What makes good website navigation labels?
Effective navigation labels are consistent in their structure and format throughout the website, creating a sense of familiarity and predictability for users, such as:
- Clear and Concise: Avoid using technical information instead select simple words and phrases.
- Accurate: Labels should correspond to the pages they are linked to as an essential requirement for search engine optimization.
- Consistent: All the labels should follow a consistent style and tone.
- Familiar: Use words your target users regularly search for when looking for information.
Example: The label “Contact Us” is easier to interpret if compared to “Get in Touch” since it is a common term.
Where are navigation labels used?
Navigation labels can be found on the following areas of a website:
- Breadcrumbs: Breadcrumbs allow you to know the particular page you are currently on within the website hierarchy (e.g., Home > About > Our Team).
- Footers: Footers include various types of links, often the most important ones such as “Contact” or “Privacy Policy.”
- In-page navigation: This feature allows the user to skip from one section to another within a long page.
To sum up, navigation labels can be employed anywhere necessary to guide visitors through a website.
Are there any words to avoid in navigation labels?
Yes. Here are examples of words to avoid:
- Generic language: Such as “More”, “Info” and “Click here”
- Jargon specific to the company: Use these terms if and only if your target audience already knows them.
- Witty labels: Clarity comes first, creativity will come second.
• If you are still not sure about the relevance of this label for your audience, ask people outside of your company about it. There is no such thing as too many eyes in terms of catching all the possible issues.
What are some common mistakes with navigation labels?
Navigation labels demand attention on the following aspects:
- Overlapping categories: Ensure categories are distinct.
- Burying important pages: Key pages should be easily accessible.
- Using the same label for multiple pages: Assigning pages unique labels prevents potential confusion by helping users distinguish them more readily.
- Ignoring mobile navigation: Mobile navigation should be accounted for, so ensure labels are optimized for smaller screens.
Ensure the “Contact” page is easily accessible from the main menu to facilitate user convenience. Keep it prominent!
Conclusion
Efficient navigation on a website depends on understanding what users want. Put yourself in the users’ shoes and think about their experiences to create a user-friendly environment that includes providing easy access to the different pages. Clear labels are also necessary for effective navigation, an aspect that will enhance user experience, reduce the bounce rate, and improve the overall atmosphere of the site.
