Table of Contents
Where should I put my navigation menu?
For optimal user-experience, the common placement for your main website navigation menu should be at the top of every webpage (usually in the header). This ensures it remains visible on every page helping visitors to navigate between your main website pages that have been included in the menu.
How many items can I have in my website menu?
While there’s no hard and fast rule about the number of items to include in the main menu of a website, clarity over quantity should always be the goal. Include only your most crucial pages as too many options can quickly overwhelm visitors.
The two core strategies to keep clarity when the amount of menu grow are:
- Dropdown menus: Use drop-down menus to organize content into subcategories.
- Secondary menus: Arrange less critical (though still important) links into footer menus or less prominent locations.
What are the most important pages to include in my website menu?
The answer depends on your website purpose, however common core pages that more websites will have are:
- Homepage: The starting point for visitors.
- About Us: Helps visitors understand your brand or mission.
- Products/Services: Essential for businesses to showcase their offerings.
- Blog: Mostly included on content driven websites.
- Contact: Enable visitors to easily get in touch.
Additional tips for great website navigation
- Labels (the menu item text) must correctly and clearly communicate what the page contains.
- Mobile-friendliness: Make sure the menu looks great on smaller screens while maintaining functionality, including mobile phone compatibility.
- Search bar (optional): Allows users to quickly locate information they are seeking.
Conclusion
Your website menu is an integral element of user experience. By carefully choosing its pages, layout and design features, you’ll create an intuitive experience for visitors that encourages them to stay longer on your website and achieve their goals more easily.
