The structure and arrangement of the menu items in the navigationof your website play a crucial role in the user experience. In this tutorial, you will learn how to effectively present the most important information, open deeper levels of navigation, and enhance the user experience with small animations.
Key insights
- Place the most important menu items in the main navigation.
- Use sub-navigation to facilitate access to deeper pages.
- Organize menu items by topic or alphabetically for better orientation.
- Utilize micro-animations to make interactions more engaging.
Step-by-step guide
1. Strategic placement of menu items
Start by strategically placing your menu items. The most important content types should always be at the forefront to provide users with immediate accessibility. For example, if you run an online shop, tutorials and frequently requested assets could be at the top.
2. Implementing a sub-navigation
To facilitate user access to deeper levels, integrate a sub-navigation that opens as needed. This sub-navigation should be intuitive and easy to understand, allowing users to spontaneously find the content they are looking for. At PS Tutorials, we opted for a traffic-based concept that effectively structures access to tutorials and templates.
3. Organize menu items by categories
To ensure better clarity, you can categorize menu items. One option is to list the items alphabetically. This makes it easier for users to search for specific content without having to navigate through the entire menu.
4. Use engaging designs
Another example is the presentation on websites like Nette Porter, where the main categories and subcategories are clearly visible. Users can specifically search for designers or categories and have a better experience due to the clear structuring.
5. Mobile optimization of navigation
The mobile view is critical for user-friendliness. It is helpful that the mobile menu also has the contact and account menu items visible. These items should be positioned so that users can easily access them, no matter where they are on the page.
6. Show top categories in the footer
It is advisable to display your top categories not only in the main menu but also in the footer. This strengthens internal link building and allows users to quickly return to the most relevant areas of the site. An example of this is commonly used software categories that are often found in e-commerce websites.
7. Introducing micro-animations
Micro-animationscan significantly enhance the user experience. For example, an animation in the hamburger menu that transforms into a cross when expanded can provide visual feedback and make the interaction more engaging.
8. Use animations purposefully
It is important that you keep an eye on the performance of your website when implementing animations. There are guidelines, such as the Rail model, that ensure performance is not compromised by the animations. Make sure to point out these aspects to the agency you hire for the creation or relaunch of your website.
Summary – The optimal arrangement of menu items in navigation and the use of micro-animations
Through strategic placement of menu items and the use of sub-navigation as well as targeted micro-animations, you can significantly enhance the user experience on your website. The focus should always be on user-friendliness and facilitating access to content.
FAQ
How do I best place the menu items in my navigation?The most important menu items should be placed at the top, followed by secondary content.
What is a sub-navigation?A sub-navigation is an additional menu that opens to allow access to deeper levels of your website.
How can a mobile view be improved?Place contact and account information prominently in the mobile menu for a better user experience.
Why are micro-animations important?Micro-animations provide engaging interactions and can enhance the user experience.
How can I ensure the performance of my website with animations?Use the Rail guidelines and have your agency ensure compliance with these standards.
