| Web design must incorporate good site navigation. If | | | | side menu in this way. |
| there is one thing a visitor to a site wants it's to be | | | | The side menu is the place to explain to your visitor |
| able to find the information they are searching for | | | | the high level headings that break up each of the |
| quickly and easily. This is what good site navigation | | | | topics mentioned in your top menu bar. For example, |
| (and good web design) is all about. Here are three | | | | if you have an item called birds in the top menu then |
| secrets to ensuring your site is up to scratch. | | | | the side menu might include, penguins, eagles, |
| Secret 1 | | | | blackbirds and so on. A clear relationship is formed |
| Don't cram your top menu bar full of items. Most | | | | between the top and side menus. |
| websites include two navigation areas. One along the | | | | Now when your user clicks on the top menu they'll |
| top (or just under the banner) and one down the left | | | | know to look at the side menu for a breakdown of |
| hand side. Often you'll find that a web design is not | | | | the relevant material. |
| clear about the purpose of each and so the top bar | | | | Secret 3 |
| gets filled with too many items making it difficult for | | | | The third web design secret is to put the privacy |
| the user to know where to go. | | | | policy and so on in the site footer. Don't take up |
| So the first secret of good navigation 9 (and web | | | | valuable space on this kind of information. Place it in |
| design) is to carefully manage the contents of your | | | | the footer where the user can find it and use it. |
| top bar. You should view your top bar as the place | | | | Don't clutter up your valuable menu space. |
| which gives a high level site overview. It should | | | | That said you do need to be careful about putting |
| contain 6 or 7 items only. By looking at the bar your | | | | things in the footer. If you do put them there make |
| visitor should have a clear view of the different | | | | sure the footer is large and the text big. Avoid |
| areas within your site. This ensures that they can find | | | | anyone saying that you are trying to hide things. |
| out about your site at a glance and access the bits | | | | If you have a site now run through the secrets. If it |
| they want quickly and easily. | | | | passes you're on the right track if not then you've |
| Secret 2 | | | | got some work to do. |
| Not surprisingly secret 2 is about the left hand side | | | | If you're about to undertake a web design make |
| menu. This menu is also often handled badly. It is filled | | | | sure you think through the navigation to make your |
| with all the things that the web design couldn't find a | | | | visitors experience excellent. |
| way to fit into the top bar. You shouldn't think of the | | | | |