Getting around.
WHAT NAVIGATION MUST ANSWER
Where am I? Where can I go? How do I get back?
WHAT TO INCLUDE
The few most important destinations A way home A way to search, where there is enough content
WHAT TO LIMIT
The number of top-level items.
Beyond a handful, people stop reading and start scanning past.
WHAT TO SHOW
Which section the person is currently in.
WHY
It answers the first question without them asking.
WHAT TO KEEP CONSISTENT
Position, order and appearance, on every page.
WHY
Navigation that moves forces people to re-learn it each time.
WHAT TO AVOID
Hiding navigation on desktop Menus that require hovering precisely Several levels revealed only on hover Navigation that differs between sections
WHAT TO PROVIDE ON LONG PAGES
A way back to the top.
WHAT TO TEST
Whether people can reach any page within a few steps.
