Usability And Navigation
Consistent Navigation Is Not
Identical Navigation
I was of the opinion that bread crumb or cookie crumb navigation
reminders were a good idea, although, I have yet to implement. After
reading and mulling this over, I have changed my mind except for certain
type web sites.
Bread crumbs may still be a good idea for those sites where the browser
Back button doesn’t function as intended. Also, on large e-commerce sites
bread crumbs aid the user in returning to a page that may be several
clicks back.
I do believe that for most web sites bread crumbs are unnecessary and
usually ignored if the site has good, consistent navigation. By consistent
I mean predictable. And by predictable I mean in location rather than just
identical site-wide navigation, which is not a bad idea.
I may not care where I am on a site but I do care about knowing how to
get to where I want to go.
If I jump into the middle of a large site that has many sections with
lots of pages within each section, I want navigation that clearly shows me
how to go deeper or how to get to another site section. If I have to
search for those navigation links, I usually go elsewhere - if I have a
choice.
Also, I believe consistent site navigation is necessary. This doesn’t
mean that every page should be within one or two clicks of the home page.
It does mean that site-wide navigation and section-specific navigation
stay in the same general location. I don’t mind searching for the
information or product but I do mind searching for the correct links.
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