Let's talk Navigation

When people visit your new web page, they will probably read the content of the present page and then look around to find any other page that interests them, and that is why the navigation options on your web page have to be clever and easy to use.

When Dumelang Media Services (DMS) work on your web page, we work closely with our clients to make sure that the end result will not only look good, but will also be functional and easy to use. Here are some pointers you can consider:

• Prepare your web site navigation before designing your web page. This is to avoid not only unnecessary clutter on your web page, but will also limit forgotten links. Do this on paper, jot down your page headings and arrange them in the order you think they should appear on your web page, and when in doubt. Ask a friend to “visit and navigate” your web page on paper. 
• Make sure your navigation system ( menu ) is clean cut, simple and easy to use. 
• If your web page will consist of a lot of pages, you have to consider scaling down on main menu items and opt for a drop down or fly out navigation system. In this case you will keep your main links together and then navigate to the rest of your website from there.
• A link to a site map of some kind is also a good idea to help visitors to your web page easily find what they are looking for with ease.
• Use short, clear and precise words as headings for your main menu.
• Also make good use of your navigation space, but do not clutter it with unnecessary graphics and or other text that will draw attention form the navigation system. 
• To draw attention to more important pages in your web page, you can also consider showcasing important links more than once in your navigation system.
• Set up and design your navigation system in such a way that you can always make changes when needed. This includes adding items to the menu, changing items on the existing menu and or removing items from the menu.