LOST IN SPACE Why Clear Navigation Will Do More Than Stop Your Site's Visitors Getting Lost

By Nigel Gordijk

When visitors first arrive at a Web page they ask themselves three questions:

1. What is this site about?
2. What can I see or do here?
3. How do I go about doing it?

If they can't answer any of these, then the site's design can be seen as a failure.

1. What is this site about?
It's important to realise that most people visit a Web site with a specific purpose in mind - for example to learn the latest news, or to buy a particular book.

A Home page should make it immediately clear what the site's owner would like you to do there.s At Amazon they're selling you books, amongst other things; at news.bbc.co.uk you're being offered up-to-the-minute news on a variety of subjects. Within a couple of seconds it's clear what these sites are about.

2. What can I see or do here?
This should be answered in part by the site's navigation. This should be in a clearly defined area with clearly worded links or buttons that give the visitor some idea of what to expect when they are clicked on.

Hierarchical content layout should also point out the most important areas to go to. As American usability consultant Steve Krug points out in his book Don't Make Me Think, navigation acts like road signs or department store signage. It tells you where you are as well as helping point you in the right direction for where you want to get to.

3. How do I go about doing it?
Obscurely worded links only confuse visitors. Make it absolutely clear and you won't go wrong.

Don't be afraid to make it obvious. Looking for "Electrical Goods"? Follow the store signs. Want to buy the movie "Lord of the Rings"? Click on "Videos and DVDs".

Using another "real world" analogy, think of a site's design as its packaging. Sitting on the supermarket shelf, the label tells you what the package contains and explains what the contents can be used for. Like decent navigation, it may even tell you how to open it to get to its contents.

Technology is conspiring against you; slow modems, old computers, dodgy 'phone connections - these all add to the slow download of a Web page. Don't compound your audience's frustration by making your site's content difficult to access.

Profile
Name: Nigel Gordijk
Age: 36
Occupation: Freelance Creative Director
URL: www.nigelgordijk.co.uk
Nigel is an accomplished graphic designer with over 14 years' industry experience. His web site designs are noted for their ability to engage users and for their ease of use. He has designed sites for Honda, Thomson Holidays, Learndirect Scotland and Ladbrokes Casino.

About the author:
Nigel Gordijk is an accomplished graphic designer with over 13 years' industry experience. His web site designs are noted for their ability to engage users and their ease of use. He has designed sites for Honda, Thomson Holidays, Learndirect Scotland and The Office of the e-Envoy.
Contact:
Nigel Gordijk
www.nigelgordijk.co.uk
info@nigelgordijk.co.uk

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Nigel Gordijk is an accomplished graphic designer with over 13 years' industry experience. His web site designs are noted for their ability to engage users and their ease of use. He has designed sites for Honda, Thomson Holidays, Learndirect Scotland and The Office of the e-Envoy.
Contact:
Nigel Gordijk
www.nigelgordijk.co.uk
info@nigelgordijk.co.uk