b1

Multiple ways to navigate at a glance

Site Genre: Pattern Group b

magnify image Figure B1.1Amazon.com understands that both intention and impulse are navigation motivators. Customers can look for what they intend to buy, using browsing and searching tools. The site also provides links to impulse items that customers might not have intended to buy but end up purchasing anyway.

Background

Used by all the patterns in Pattern Group A (Site Genres), from PERSONAL E-COMMERCE (A1) to BLOGS (A12), this pattern provides techniques that support how customers navigate sites.

Close

PROBLEM

Customers navigate Web sites in many ways. If any of the key navigation tools are hard to find or missing, visitors will find the site tedious to use.

buy the book to find out more

SOLUTION

magnify image FigureB1.4 By giving your visitors multiple ways to navigate on your site, depending on their goals and desires, you can keep them engaged.

To ensure that your visitors complete their goals, place search and browse navigation tools at the top and start of the page. Position next-step navigation tools toward the top, but opposite the start, as well as at the bottom. Always include navigation tools that relate and promote so that customers find things that they might otherwise miss, but position these tools farther down the page.

Other Patterns to Consider

Give customers multiple ways to navigate by consistently using intentionbased navigation: Place a SEARCH ACTION MODULE (J1) or a link to your STRAIGHTFORWARD SEARCH FORMS (J2) at the top of every page, include a consistent NAVIGATION BAR (K2) on every page, and provide BROWSABLE CONTENT (B2). Make it easier for everyone to navigate your site with SITE ACCESSIBILITY (B9). Place all of these elements in a PAGE TEMPLATE (D1) that has a strong GRID LAYOUT (I1), to help enforce consistency across your entire Web site. Help customers complete their tasks by using ACTION BUTTONS (K4) and links to CONTEXT-SENSITIVE HELP (H8) located at the top right of the page. Use a PROCESS FUNNEL (H1) for tasks that absolutely must be completed. Provide impulse-driven navigation capability by including CONSISTENT SIDEBARS OF RELATED CONTENT (I6) and promotions that use DESCRIPTIVE, LONGER LINK NAMES (K9).

Close

 

Pattern Resources

PATTERN COMMENTS

POST A COMMENT and/or EXAMPLE WEBSITE

You must be logged in to post a comment.