In Web Design Don't Underestimate the Importance of Navigation

When people are surfing the web they will get very impatient when they can not find what they want quickly. Navigating the web has to make sense to the surfer and right away, so if the web design is done with this in mind, the layout of an effective website will have similarities to all the others.

You need to use standard conventional links like buttons underlining the text and changing the color. It is not such a good idea to use clever names for the links. Simple is good. Keep in mind the type of people who are going to visit your website and have it designed to suit them.

The elements of navigation are very important so whether you are trying to inform a person about a service or product, or trying to sell them this service or product, the web design for your links can be the important factor to consider.

Inform the visitor to your website that the link is just that. Say you are in real estate and your property is in a specific city so you need a link with a map of that vicinity to guide them to all the particulars about that area. They will need the city name to click on to so specify this on your site. Professional web designers have a rule they use which is the three clicks method. When a person is surfing they will click no more than three times to get the information they are looking for so make sure that they will reach all the particulars of your site within those parameters.

Three clicks on your website should get them to all that they need to know. Keeping your web page with a simple web design is more attractive and is able to keep a persons interest better than one which is too full of information. People do not want to read a huge amount at one time. People who surf the web are basically looking for information,so only use a short movie or clip if it really adds to your site, and make sure there is an easy way to link to it or they will be gone from your site forever.

The best places for navigation

Top Menus-located below the graphic header page where the logo site is found. These will be expanding menus drop menus or single links, A text or graphic will represent them. A visitor can click on the link to any of them. Bottom Menus-can be a footer or menu bar. Footers use text links while menu bars use text links or graphics. These are all very important aspects of web design.

Right side navigation is not so often used but can be on the right side of the page as a text area or column. Most often it is used for advertising. Left side navigation is just the opposite to the right this is located on the left and usually the top of the page.

These are just a few suggestions that you are going to want to keep in mind for your web design decisions.

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Non-Technical Web Design Considerations

If you are considering a new website, or re-designing your existing one, there are some fundamental web design considerations you should make note of before committing your time and money into your new website.

1. You only get one chance to make a good first impression.
The initial impact of your web design must say "professional". Regardless of whether you want a traditional formal look or a funky modern web design, your website must look utterly professional. You wouldn't want to send out sub-standard leaflets to prospective customers, so your website, which is going to be seen by far more prospects (hopefully!) must be professionally designed.

2. Navigation is key, and print designers are not web designers.
Designing for print is different to designing for the web, especially where navigation is concerned. Good web design can only be done by the kind of designer who knows websites inside out. Once you know exactly what it is you want to say on your website, and you have categorized it, go and see a professional web designer. S/he will be able to suggest an appropriate look and feel based on your business, and the best way of navigating through it. For instance, there aren't many accountants who want a really vibrant green and red fast moving flash based design!

3. Get more than one design route.
You will have a meeting with the designer to formulate a "brief". The web designer will work with you to make sure your corporate identity is firmly reinforced whilst incorporating the colour scheme, functionality, and navigational requirements of the website. After this meeting, the designer should provide you with at least two options from which you can choose and refine, until you are happy with the web design.

4. Do the developers live in-house?
We have written articles on the kinds of questions you should be asking your web designer, and this is one of them. It's not actually the end of the world if your designer sub-contracts the development of your website, but there are advantages if the web development team are part of the same design studio. If they are, it is likely that your end product will be less expensive, your website could be produced more quickly, and if there are any issues they will be easier to sort out.

5. Search Engine Results
Lets make no mistake about it, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is the next big thing you need to be concerned about, and you definitely want the people who are actually building your website to know what they're doing from an SEO point of view. The problem of course, if you're on a tight budget, is paying for it, because SEO work is not inexpensive. You will need to retain at least 50% of your budget for SEO. That's how important it is.

These are just a few of the considerations you must take into account when considering a new web design.

Paul Clarke is the Managing Director of Web Equip Ltd. A Web Design company in Sheffield, UK. You can visit Web Equip at http://www.webequip.co.uk/ for Web Design Sheffield.