8 Common Website Navigation Mistakes to Avoid

A poor website navigation design affects the search engine rankings and website traffic. Therefore, it essential to lay emphasis on website navigation. Here are some common web navigation mistakes to be avoided by the creator.

Creativity

Every designer strives to be creative and different. He usually researches thoroughly studying about the navigation best practices available in the market. However, there are certain practices that have become common. Visitors expect such practices on every website. Example: Vertical navigation bars are always placed on the left-hand side. Do not try to be creative in designing such practices. Making differences and bringing upon creativity here annoys the users. 

Options

Never use too many navigation options. This confuses the users. Overloading the navigation links backfires. Instead of helping the users to see what is available, it overwhelms them. They are unable to make quick choices in such situations. And eventually they leave the site disappointed. 

The menu should hold only important options. This helps the users to fetch the required information quickly.

Navigation inconsistency

Generally, people use different types of electronic gadgets to access a website. Suppose a user is visiting the website regularly through his laptop. One day he visits the website from smartphone. He should experience the same regularity in the usage. He shouldn’t feel that he has landed on some other site when he uses a smart phone to access the same website.

Sometimes, navigating through a website from a laptop is entirely different while navigating from a smartphone. Such inconsistencies should be avoided. 

It is alright to have different submenus. However, the primary navigation of the website should be the same.

Hidden Navigation

In the process of keeping things minimal, some designers tend to hide navigation. It is fine practicing such designs in mobile websites as they have smaller screens. However, it is important to avoid such designs in desktop designs.

Call To Action

The Call To Action buttons are important to interact with the users. Some of the Call To Action (CTA) buttons are Sign-Up, Buy Now, Add to cart, etc. However, avoid using too many CTA buttons in the same page. How? Focus on the marketing strategy to avoid such mistakes. For instance, if the aim is to bring more email subscribers, then use the “Sign Up” CTA alone. 

Scrolling

Scrolling affects Call To Action. Assume the user is scrolling till the end of the website. He likes the business or content offered. Now he wants to subscribe for regular updates or new products or wants to buy the product. He should not be searching for the CTA. The interest might fade away while he is scrolling up and down to find the CTA to buy the product or subscribe. Therefore, it is essential to place the CTAs at strategic locations. 

Wrong Options

Seldom designers fail to make the right decision in placing links in navigation and sub navigation sections. Always the most important links should be placed in main navigation section. 

Big screens

Huge desktop monitors are used today. Therefore, it is essential for the website to accommodate these wide screens.