1.2.4. Principles of Successful Navigation

Even if there is no optimal technique to realise navigation - according to (1998) - there are some rules which lead to a quality navigation (independent of the technique that is used). We here present you some of those rules.

Navigation should:

• Be Easily Learned
  Make your application transparent and obvious to your users. If your visitors have to spend time learning how to use a complex navigation device, they will not have much energy left to absorb your content.
• Remain Consistent
  Make sure your approach to navigation is consistent, or you may unwittingly confuse your visitors. The ability to predict where navigation tools will be found is an important first step in making choices.

Non Consistent Navigation

Consistent Navigation

• Provide Feedback
  We are conditioned to expect reactions from things. Mouseovers are one good way to provide responsive controls. For example passing your mouse over an object on the screen causes it to "react" - by e.g. Simply lighting it up.
  Compare the two examples below and find the two implemented feedbacks of the right example.

Without Feedback

With Feedback

Which two feedbacks are implemented in the top right example? (Click here for more information) Text Highlighting Hand symbol

• Appear in Context
  To complete tasks, people need the right tools at hand. To make decisions about movement, they need to see possible routes. Navigation should always be available when it is needed.
• Require an Economy of Action and Time
  In cars, planes and on the Web, people lose interest on long trips. A site structure that features layer upon layer of subcategories with many levels to click through can induce "Are we there yet?" syndrome which is roughly synonymous with acute frustration.
  The following two examples contain a map of Japan. We want you to browse to this map. Count the number of clicks you have to do until you reach the map in both examples.

Non Economic Application

Economic Application

How many clicks do you have to do to reach the map in both examples? (Click here for more information) Non Economic Application: 3 Clicks Economic Application: 1 Click

• Provide Clear Visual Messages
  How you present navigation options is closely tied to how usable they are. If they are hidden, difficult to find, look too much like text, look too much like other images, or are otherwise visually confusing, your users will have trouble getting around. Be aware that interface design is visual guidance. (You will learn more about Graphical User Interface Design in lesson "Graphical User Interface")

No Visual Messages

Clear Visual Messages

• Use Clear and Understandable Icons
  Navigation icons are an important part of communication. In selecting icons, it is best to use the terminology of your users, not cool hieroglyphics, office shorthand, or organization-speak. Dead ends and misunderstandings are a waste of time for your users.

Unclear Labels

Clear and Understandable Labels

Because you can never be sure if all users understand the meanings of the icons of your application, there are two possibilities to ensure their understandability: Write in letters the function of the icons. See the example of the Atlas of Canada below. Description of Icon Function Meanings (The Atlas of Canada) Implement a tooltip so that the function is described when moving the mouse cursor over the icon. Description of Icons in Tooltip

• Be Appropriate to the Site's Purpose
  Your navigation approach will depend a lot on what your goal is and on what your users will expect to accomplish. A shopping site will not necessarily have the same sort of navigation solution as an information site, for example. Mismatches between the site's purpose and the navigational approach can be a cause for user confusion.
• Support User's Goals and Behaviours
  Navigation is about supporting users' goals. What will people want to do? How might they behave? Understanding these goals and behaviours is the most important step in designing navigation that works.