Abstrakt Marketing Group
  • Services
    • Outbound Marketing
    • Digital Marketing
    • Agency Services
      • Social Media Management
    • Talent Acquisition
    • Systems Integration
  • Industries
  • Why Us
    • The Abstrakt Advantage
    • Testimonials
    • About Us
    • Awards
    • Leadership Team
  • Careers
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Podcast
  • Contact Us
  • Portal Login
  • (314) 338-8865
  • Menu Menu
  • Services
    • Outbound Marketing
    • Digital Marketing
    • Agency Services
      • Social Media Management
    • Talent Acquisition
    • Systems Integration
  • Industries
  • Why Us
    • The Abstrakt Advantage
    • Testimonials
    • About Us
    • Awards
    • Leadership Team
  • Careers
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Podcast
  • Contact Us
  • Portal Login
  • (314) 338-8865
Click To Call

How to Improve Website Navigation

Website navigation lays the foundation for a great online experience. Whether you’re running an e-commerce site, a blog, or a business website, visitors need to find their way around easily. A well-structured navigation system does more than list pages—it guides users seamlessly to the information they need and, ideally, to a purchase.

Why Website Navigation Matters

Website navigation isn’t just about linking pages together. It directly impacts user experience, conversion rates, and even your site’s SEO. When visitors can find what they’re looking for quickly, they’re more likely to stay, explore, and ultimately convert.

But poor navigation? It leads to frustration, high bounce rates, and lost opportunities. Let’s break down how you can refine your website navigation to create a seamless experience for every visitor.

Types of Website Navigation

Before diving into improvements, it’s important to recognize the different types of website navigation:

1. Top Navigation (Header Menus)

This is the classic menu bar that runs across the top of a site, featuring key pages like “Home,” “Services,” and “Contact.” Visitors expect to see it, so make sure it’s clean and intuitive.

2. Sidebar Navigation

This type is typically found in blogs or content-heavy sites. Sidebar navigation helps categorize and link pages that may not be featured in the top navigation.

3. Footer Navigation

The footer is often overlooked but holds a lot of value. It’s where users look for key links they couldn’t find at the top, such as privacy policies or secondary services.

4. Breadcrumb Navigation

Breadcrumbs are a secondary navigation tool, often used on e-commerce sites, that shows users exactly where they are in the site structure. They’re great for giving visitors an easy way to navigate back.

Tips to Improve Website Navigation

Improving website navigation doesn’t mean making radical changes. Often, small tweaks can make a big difference in guiding users through your site. Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Keep It Simple

Complex navigation is a major turnoff. Users shouldn’t have to guess where to click next. Keep your menus simple and direct. Use clear and concise labels like “Products,” “About Us,” or “Get a Quote.” Overstuffed menus or confusing terminology can lead to frustration and drive visitors away.

2. Use Descriptive Labels

Labeling your navigation items well is key to good website navigation. Avoid vague terms like “Solutions”—instead, be specific. “Digital Marketing Services” tells visitors exactly what they’re clicking on, eliminating guesswork and increasing engagement.

3. Implement a Search Function

Even with stellar navigation, users may want to head straight to specific content. Including a search bar at the top of your site gives users an alternative way to get what they need quickly. Make sure it’s easy to find and works properly.

4. Prioritize Mobile Navigation

With more users browsing on mobile devices, optimizing your website navigation for smaller screens is critical. Ensure the menu is accessible and easy to use with one hand. Drop-down menus should work smoothly, and the most important links should be front and center.

5. Highlight Important Pages

If there are certain pages you want visitors to see—like a seasonal sale or an ongoing promotion—highlight them in your navigation bar. Adding a “New” or “Sale” tag can catch the user’s attention and lead to increased conversions.

6. Use Clear Call-To-Action Buttons

Beyond basic menus, your navigation should also include strategic call-to-action (CTA) buttons like “Book a Consultation” or “Get Started.” These CTAs can guide visitors to take action after they’ve found the information they were looking for.

Improving Navigation for SEO and User Experience

Website navigation isn’t just about helping users—it plays a big role in your SEO strategy as well. Here’s how to optimize your navigation to rank higher in search results and keep users happy:

1. Internal Linking

Internal links are an important part of website navigation. Linking from one page to related content helps search engines understand the relationship between pages and keeps users on your site longer. A good rule of thumb is to add relevant internal links to key terms in your content.

2. Use Breadcrumbs for Better Structure

Breadcrumbs are a great addition to most websites, especially if you have a lot of pages. They create a clear path for both users and search engines, making navigation easier and improving the overall structure of your site.

3. Avoid Hidden Navigation

Avoid using JavaScript or other elements that may make navigation menus inaccessible to search engines. When search engines can’t see your navigation, they struggle to crawl your site. Ensure your menus are well-coded and visible to everyone, both human and algorithm.

Avoid These Navigation No-Nos

Website navigation mistakes can cost you potential customers. Here’s what to watch out for:

1. Overloaded Menus

Too many menu items can overwhelm visitors. It’s best to limit your main navigation to five to seven items. If your site is content-heavy, consider using sub-menus to organize it.

2. Unorganized Sub-Menus

Sub-menus are helpful, but they need to be organized. Group related pages logically and avoid creating too many levels, which can make navigation cumbersome.

3. Dead Links

A broken link is a sure way to frustrate users and damage your credibility. Regularly check your website for broken links to keep your navigation polished and effective.

4. Not Testing for User Experience

Never underestimate the power of user testing. Ask friends, colleagues, or even a few customers to navigate your website and give feedback. What seems clear to you might confuse a visitor, so it’s crucial to keep testing and refining.

Key Takeaways

  • Keep Navigation Simple: Clear and concise labels make a world of difference in improving website navigation.
  • Mobile-Friendly is a Must: Don’t overlook how users interact with your site on mobile—smooth, accessible mobile navigation is key.
  • Highlight Key Pages: Make sure important pages stand out through your navigation structure.
  • Internal Linking Boosts SEO: Smart internal links keep users engaged longer and help search engines understand your site.
  • Test Regularly: User feedback is gold—use it to continue improving website navigation.

Make Your Website Navigation Work Smarter, Not Harder

Don’t make it difficult for visitors to navigate your website. Better navigation means a better experience. It means increased engagement, lower bounce rates, and improved conversions. If you’re ready to enhance your website’s navigation and need some professional support, let’s connect. At Abstrakt Marketing Group, we make sure your site doesn’t just look good—it works perfectly for your users and search engines alike. Let’s get your website running like a well-oiled machine, guiding your visitors exactly where they need to go.

Share This Post

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on X
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share by Mail

More Like This

Search Search

Topics

  • Sales Development
  • Digital Marketing
  • Marketing Collateral
  • Business Growth Strategies
  • CRM
  • Recruiting and Hiring
  • News & Awards
  • Stories From the Frontlines

Stream our Podcast

Get In Touch

Phone:
(314) 338-8865

Send a Message

Address:
701 N. 1st St. Suite 101
St. Louis, MO 63102

Lead Generation & Marketing Services

All-Inclusive Lead Generation

B2B Appointment Setting

SEO Services

Marketing Collateral

Email Marketing 

 

Business Services

Salesforce Consulting Services 

RevOps Consulting Services 

Recruiting Services 

Creative Services 

RECENT BLOGS

  • The #1 Thing You’re Missing in Your Sales Forecast: Appointment Setting
glassdoor-abstrakt-marketing-group
salesforce-partner-abstrakt-marketing-group
bbb-abstrakt-marketing-group
Website by Abstrakt Marketing Group © 2023
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
Link to: What is a Local Business Listing? Link to: What is a Local Business Listing? What is a Local Business Listing? Link to: A Hiring Team’s Guide to Talent Assessment Link to: A Hiring Team’s Guide to Talent Assessment A Hiring Team’s Guide to Talent Assessment
Scroll to top Scroll to top Scroll to top

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

AcceptDeclineSettings

Cookie and Privacy Settings



How we use cookies

We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.

Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.

Essential Website Cookies

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.

Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.

We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.

We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.

Other external services

We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.

Google Webfont Settings:

Google Map Settings:

Google reCaptcha Settings:

Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:

AcceptHide notification only