Navigation
Help visitors find what they're looking for without thinking.
If users can't find something, it doesn't exist to them. Good navigation is so obvious that users don't even think about it.
The basics
Navigation that works
- Visible menu on every page - Current page is highlighted/active - Logo links back to home - Important items are easy to spot
Where am I?
- Navigation hidden behind icons or gestures - No indication of current page - Dead-end pages with no way back - Important actions buried in menus
High impact — navigation~2 paws
Missing or confusing navigation is a major usability issue. Users should never feel lost.
Mobile navigation
On small screens, you have less room. But navigation still needs to work.
Mobile-friendly nav
- Hamburger menu with clear icon (3 lines) - Menu opens with smooth animation - Items are tap-friendly (44px minimum touch target) - Current page indicator still visible
Desktop nav squeezed onto mobile
- Tiny text links in a horizontal row - Menu items too close together to tap accurately - Navigation overflows off-screen
Link styling
Users need to know what's clickable.
Obviously clickable
- Links are a different color from body text - Links have an underline or clear hover effect - Buttons look like buttons (background, border, shadow) - Cursor changes to pointer on hover
Is this a link?
- Links same color as body text, no underline - Clickable text that looks like regular text - Inconsistent link styling across pages
Breadcrumbs
For sites with multiple levels of content, breadcrumbs show users where they are:
Home > Products > Widget Pro > SettingsThey're especially useful for documentation, e-commerce, and admin panels.
Quick checklist
Self-assessment checklist