Many aspects of web design and development influence user experience:
Fonts, colors, and images
Headline and call to action
Availability of contact information
Page Loading Time
Form Design
However, website navigation is one of the first factors to consider because if visitors can’t find your web form, it doesn’t matter how beautiful it is.
Website navigation allows visitors to easily get from one page to another. If you do your job well, visitors will leave your website wanting to come back again, and maybe even buy something from you or sign up for your email list.
People visit a lot of websites every day, so they have no shortage of places to find what they need. If you don’t provide a clear site navigation menu, breadcrumbs, and other ways to navigate your site, they won’t bother.
Types of website navigation
Besides the top navigation menu that everyone knows about , there are other types of website navigation.
Sidebars are a common addition to many websites. They are located to the left or right of the main content. Some websites even have dual sidebars, such as on the left or right side of the detail page, which usually has product categories.
Then there is the footer, which usually contains links to the website's homepage as well as popular resources. So-called fat footers have been popular for a while. They allow for more links, which means a better user experience.
Many websites also use breadcrumbs. These are hierarchical navigation links that appear on a particular page. They tell you where you are currently on that page.
There is also the hamburger menu navigation used on mobile devices, which is like the menu with three horizontal lines (like a hamburger) on the right or left side of most mobile websites. When you click it, more menu links will pop up.
The Basics of User-Centered Navigation: What Makes a Good Website Navigation?
Good navigation is user-centric, meaning it anticipates and adapts to user behavior and expectations. User behavior is what people do when they use a consumer data website, app, or any online content. It includes what they click on, how long they stay there, and what they like or dislike.