Key Principles for Wix User-Friendly Navigation
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Wix Website Navigation set up | By Micahel Andrews

Key Principles for Wix User-Friendly Navigation

Keep it Simple and Intuitive

  • Limit your main navigation to 5-7 items maximum

  • Use clear, descriptive labels that visitors instantly understand

  • Avoid jargon or clever terminology that might confuse users

 

Standard Placement

  • Position primary navigation at the top of the page (horizontal menu)

  • Consider a left sidebar for secondary navigation on content-heavy sites

  • Always include your logo in the top-left corner, linking back to the homepage

 

Essential Navigation Elements

 

Primary Navigation Structure

  • Home

  • About/About Us

  • Products/Services

  • Blog/Resources

  • Contact

 

Utility Navigation (typically in the header's top right)

  • Search bar

  • Login/Account

  • Shopping basket (for e-commerce)

  • Language selector (if applicable)

 

Footer Navigation

  • Repeat main navigation links

  • Include legal pages (Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions)

  • Add social media links

  • Consider a sitemap link for complex sites

 

Best Practices for Implementation

 

Visual Design

  • Use sufficient contrast between text and background

  • Highlight the current page in the navigation

  • Implement hover effects to show interactivity

  • Ensure clickable areas are large enough (minimum 44×44 pixels)

 

Mobile Considerations

  • Implement a responsive hamburger menu for mobile devices

  • Prioritise thumb-friendly placement

  • Test navigation on various screen sizes

  • Consider sticky navigation for longer pages

 

Accessibility Features

  • Use proper HTML semantic elements (<nav>, <ul>, <li>)

  • Include ARIA labels for screen readers

  • Ensure keyboard navigation works properly

  • Provide skip links for users with assistive technology

 

Advanced Features to Consider

 

Mega Menus

  • Useful for sites with extensive content

  • Display subcategories in organised columns

  • Include visual elements or descriptions

  • Don't overwhelm users with too many options

 

Breadcrumbs

  • Show users their location within the site hierarchy

  • Particularly helpful for e-commerce or deep content sites

  • Place them above the main content area

 

Search Functionality

  • Include predictive search/autocomplete

  • Show popular searches or suggestions

  • Ensure the search box is easily findable

 

Testing Your Navigation

 

User Testing Methods

  • Conduct card sorting exercises to determine logical groupings

  • Run usability tests with real users

  • Use heat mapping tools to see where users click

  • Monitor analytics for high bounce rates on specific pages

 

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Too many menu items are causing decision paralysis

  • Unclear or ambiguous labelling

  • Inconsistent navigation across pages

  • Hidden or hard-to-find important pages

  • Relying solely on icons without text labels

 

Remember, the goal is to help users find what they're looking for within three clicks. Regular testing and refinement based on user behaviour will help you maintain an effective navigation system that serves your visitors well.

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