Smart Design Kit.
Information Architecture

Navigation design is the process of creating a structure for users to find content on a website.

Navigation Design: A Guide to Information Architecture

Navigation design is an important part of information architecture. It helps users find the information they need quickly and easily. In this guide, we’ll cover the basics of navigation design, from getting started to best practices and examples.

Getting Started

When designing a navigation system, it’s important to consider the user’s needs. What information do they need to find? What tasks do they need to complete? How can you make it easy for them to find what they’re looking for?

Start by creating a list of the pages and content you want to include in your navigation. This will help you determine the structure of your navigation system. You should also consider the user’s mental model – how they think about the information and how they expect it to be organized.

How To

Once you’ve determined the structure of your navigation system, it’s time to start designing. Here are some tips for creating an effective navigation system:

  • Keep it simple – don’t include too many options in your navigation.
  • Organize your navigation into categories and subcategories.
  • Use clear labels that accurately describe the content.
  • Make sure the navigation is consistent across all pages.
  • Include a search box to help users find what they’re looking for.
  • Include a “home” link to help users get back to the main page.

Best Practices

When designing a navigation system, it’s important to keep the user in mind. Here are some best practices to keep in mind:

  • Keep the navigation simple and intuitive.
  • Organize the navigation into categories and subcategories.
  • Use clear labels that accurately describe the content.
  • Make sure the navigation is consistent across all pages.
  • Include a search box to help users find what they’re looking for.
  • Include a “home” link to help users get back to the main page.
  • Optimize for SEO keywords.

Examples

Here are some examples of effective navigation systems:

  • Amazon’s navigation system is organized into categories and subcategories, making it easy for users to find what they’re looking for.
  • Google’s navigation system is simple and intuitive, with clear labels that accurately describe the content.
  • Apple’s navigation system is consistent across all pages, making it easy for users to find what they’re looking for.
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