Websites Navigation Scheme: How To Make Web Content Accessible

 

In my previous articles, I have tried to talk about some of the facts that you need to know about website design. In one of my articles as well, I have looked at some of the facts that you need to understand when it comes to website accessibility. In this article, I want to look at some of the facts to consider when it comes to website navigation schemes. Follow me as we are going to look at that together in this article.

 

 

A website navigation scheme is a feature on every website that makes it easy for users to find what they are looking for. I have said it in my previous articles, that it is not enough for you to have good content, your users should be able to discover that content without much hassle.

 

They should be able to find what they are looking for. I also said that if it is difficult for your users to find what they are looking for, it will also be difficult for search engine spiders to discover your content. That is why you have to make your website easy to navigate as much as possible.

 

 

When you have a good navigation scheme on your website, it tells your users that you are actually thinking about them. I need to say that what most people are buying in a product is satisfaction. When users feel that you are less concerned about their convenience on your website, they will have the mindset that you will care less about them when they ended up purchasing products and there is an issue with that product.

 

 

That means if you care less about the navigation scheme of your website, then you will care less about them.

 

I don’t know if you have ever wanted to travel to a particular location and are worried that you might miss the road. Some of us will be wary of embarking on that journey. We might want to give tons of excuses to our host on the reasons why we will not be able to make the journey, the same thing applies to a website with a poor navigation scheme.

 

 

You need to understand that your website navigation scheme is the roadmap to your website. It allows users to find their way around. It is just like a road sign. Even if you have not visited a place before, the road sign can assist you in navigating around the city.

 

 

Types of navigation Schemes…

#1 Hierarchical

This applies to sites that are information-rich and are best organized as a large tree, such as a library. If you noticed my blog for example, because I have many topics to write about, the information is also organized in layers for easy navigation through the entire website.
 

#2 Global

This applies to websites that have less information to offer. Their Tabs are in a kind of straight lines all through. There are no sub-layers at all.
 

#3 Local

This applies to websites that have a depth of information within a larger area. They may have a category that has larger information, this might have sub-layers that are different from Tabs that are available on the website.
 

8 basic navigation schemes for websites and blogs

#1 Embedded text links

You might visit some websites and notice that some texts on that websites seem to have a different colour. Such texts are embedded links that the author of that particular post wants you to visit so that you can have more understanding of the topic discussed.
 

#2 Left/Top Pop UP Drop Down

These are the drop-down menus that are available on the website where you can have access to more content. Most times, when you are on websites, you do not need to scroll down before you will see this drop-down menu which allows you to have access to more content that would have been difficult for you to locate on that website. This allows more content to be discovered.

#3 Tab Navigation

This is another common feature on any website. The Tabs are always arranged at top of the blog. They are used to sectionalize the blog. This allows you to focus more on content that is of special interest to you. I can say that such Tabs allow you to focus more on articles of interest on a website.

#4 Dynamically Generated URLs

At times, you might decide that you want your audience to really enjoy some set of articles and content that you do not want to place on the TAB section of the blog, you can create Dynamically Generated URLs that can be inserted in a TAB link. This will make it easy for users to click on that TAB or link and access such articles.

#5 Graphics Navigation Button

At times, instead of links that are inserted into websites and Tabs, one can decide to create Graphics navigation buttons that users can click on and they will be able to access some content. Let’s take, for example, I am creating a landing page and I have images of some of my previous works or organizations I have transacted business with. I can include images and embed links on it so that users can click on those links in order to read the testimonials.
 

#6 Site map

Most times, in order to make it easier for users and spiders to navigate through your content and find what they are looking for, you can decide to insert a site map or create a link on your website that allows users to navigate your content. This will definitely reduce the bounce rate on your website and assist your users in developing more content.
 

#7 Image Map

At times, your site map can also be in the form of an image map, you can actually design an image that actually tells your users more about your content and guide them in navigating through your website as well. This will ensure that users can easily find what they are looking for on your website.