The aim of a Web site's navigational facilities is to make sure users can easily get to the content they require.
This objective is usually achieved by making sure users:
- understand where they are within the site (their location)
- can easily get to other places (using navigation controls)
Location
To make sure users understand where they are, each page on the site should give its location within the site. This information should appear in the same place and the same format on every page.
(Of course, users will only be able to understand their location if the site has a clear concept of location, based on a good organisation.)
Controls
Each page should also include standard (primary) navigation controls which allow users to navigate. Once more, these controls should be consistent across all pages. However, because they do appear on every page it is important to keep them to a minimum and avoid clutter.
Secondary navigation controls should give the user quicker access, from pages which are entirely devoted to navigation around the site such as the front page.
User-focused design
To inform and evaluate your planned navigation, it's useful to consider different types of user. You can consider whether each type of user will be able to find the content they desire, easily and quickly.
