unit three reading

READING SUMMARY
Chapter six really gets down to the nitty gritty of web-usability with navigation. When you design a site you should visualize it as a physical space, like a department store. You need to take into consideration how a person might get around to things that they desire. Signage is used in a store, and it can be used in web design as well. Links and drop down menus in navigation act as the large hanging signs over an aisle to tell you what you might find there. For example, a grocery store might have a sign for Baking. When you look closer, there is usually a smaller set of signs underneath that say things like "flour" "sugar" "spices" to help the customer find exactly what they are looking for. If your website cannot lead a user around, it can frustrate the user and make them leave.

Lets talk about menus. At a clothing website you might find options for Men, Women, and Children. When you click on one of the categories, let's say women, you will likely see another menu that offers blouses, skirts, dresses, undergarments, etc. It is helpful to somehow highlight where the customer is at a given time. For example, if I clicked on women the text might turn from blue (original link color) to red.

The importance of keeping consistency with layout is huge. Main navigation and site logo should almost always be in the same location (the only exception might be for a variance on home page and check out forms). Search boxes help the user looking for something specifically find it easily. Page names and headers are important to keep users where they need or want to be. Finally, it is nice to have a you are here indicator of sorts that shows a trail of where you've been. For example Home > Women > Shoes > Brand.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
The Importance Of The Home Button
Navigation Design
Planning & Implementing Website Navigation
Inspirational Navigation
Effective Web Navigation