D. Keith Robinson's Gorilla Web Tips

Tip Number Eleven - Supplemental Navigation Techniques and Tips

October 13th, 2003

Defining Supplemental Navigation for Web sites

There are many types of users that come to your Web site. Some like to browse, some like to search, some know what they are looking for and some have no clue what they want or even how they got to where they are. One of the keys to a successful Web site is knowing what your users want and helping them get there.

A clear, easy to use navigation structure, coupled with an accurate searching tool, can make all the difference. In general, with most sites, these are enough. However, there are times when a site might benefit from alternate forms of navigation. Tools like shortcut menus, breadcrumb trails, site maps and indexes are all different ways you can help your users find what they are looking for.

While these tools can be useful, it's important to know how, and when, to use them. No supplemental navigation tool can take the place of a good information architecture coupled with a clean, easy to use primary navigation system (hopefully tested with real users) and site search. In fact, there are times, if not properly used, where these tools can hinder and confuse.

Depending on the kind of site you have, the size of your site and complexity of your information architecture it may be a good idea to use one or more of these tools. Having said that, many sites, those that are small and simple for example, don't need any of them and could quickly become overwhelming to a user if too much supplemental navigation is used.

Below are some examples of some types of supplemental navigation and some things you should know when thinking about using them.

Site Maps

One tool that almost every site can benefit from is a site map or index. I say "almost" because on very small sites a site map could be confusing and in general wouldn't be needed anyway.

A site map is a linked representation, usually organized in a hierarchical manner, of a Web site's information architecture on one page. There are many different ways to implement a site map but in general the point is to have a list, or index, of the pages, tools, or sections on the site.

Some things to know when working with site maps:

Site maps should be easy to access. Your site map link should be either in the footer or near the search box, if you have one, and should be available from every page.
Don't get fancy with the name. "Site map" will most likely serve you just fine and changing that to something more creative may confuse your users.
Keep the site map page as short and simple as possible, while still providing an accurate representation of the site. Again, don't try and get fancy. A simple text-based list of links, organized by section, category or alphabetically (depending on the size and complexity of the site) will usually be best.
Site maps can be easy to maintain, but must be kept up to date to stay effective. An out of date site map can be very confusing. Make sure you maintain it.
With an index it's important to be comprehensive and list every page on the site. Indexes should usually be listed alphabetically if possible as opposed to the hierarchical listing of a site map. Use what makes sense for your site, and if uncertain, test with your users.

Shortcut Menus

A shortcut menu can take many forms. In general it's a small subset of links to commonly used tools or pages within a site. These can be very helpful to frequent users of a site, allowing them to quickly navigate to the part of the site they use most.

Some things to know when working with shortcut menus:

Make sure the shortcut menu is very clearly discernable from the main navigation. Give it a graphic treatment that sets it apart so your users don't confuse it with global navigation.
Keep it short. A long shortcut menu will defeat the purpose. These are supposed to be a quick and easy way to shortcut to commonly used pages or tools within a large site. If your list is too long it will probably be too confusing to be useful.
Organize your shortcut links. You can do this alphabetically or by most commonly used.
Don't use shortcuts unless it makes sense to do so. Let your users guide you if you are unsure.

Breadcrumb Trails

Breadcrumb trails can be useful as supplemental navigation, but in general their primary purpose and usefulness lie in their use as a way-finding tool. A breadcrumb trail is a list of text, usually linked, that highlights to the user where they are in a site.

For example: Home » Products » Widgets

In general they are not useful on small sites, and can be somewhat confusing if not done properly. On larger sites, or sites with a complicated information architecture, they can be very helpful as a way-finding guide as well as being useful as supplemental navigation.

Some things to know when working with breadcrumb trails:

Locate them near the content, usually near the title of the page and clearly separated from any primary navigation.
They should be unobtrusive as possible. Use small, but easily readable text. It's important not to have the user confuse the breadcrumb trail with content or a title.
Keep them consistent throughout the site, and change in format or structure will probably throw your users off.
Breadcrumb trails can be very helpful to users who enter the site via other pages than the home page, so a "home" link is nice, but should not be considered a substitute for good primary navigation and a very clear "home" link there.

Wrapping Up

Supplemental navigation can be useful if done right. It's very important to note that not one of these techniques will replace a good primary navigation structure and, with the exception of a site map or index on a large site, should only be used if there is good reason.

Again, this really depends on the site, the user's goals, the type of information and complexity of the information architecture. When in doubt, test with your users. If you're still not sure if one of these techniques is right for your site, concentrate on refining your primary navigation first before adding any supplemental navigation schemes.

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