Responsive Navigation Patterns

Indeed, the emergence of responsive design has totally changed the industry. Currently, a website must support all kinds of devices and resolutions. In order to handle this increasingly complex reality and meet its challenges, the web design world has exploded with new approaches, thinking, and patterns. A mobile-first approach has brought numerous benefits, affecting information architecture strategies, content, and navigation. In addition, it has made us reconsider the complexity of the web design world after it finally went through trends of highly complex navigation and menus Websites allow accessing all kinds of data. However, the bigger the site, the more significant it becomes to have quality yet understandable navigation. Whether we want to access an education resource, donate to a cause, buy a product, or learn more about a company, we are dependent on website navigation to help us find what we need. Many sites provide navigation that works “well.” After some struggle, individuals can finally access what they are looking for. However, do they work well with just one type of navigation? Or do they need several types? What is an effective navigation at all? The new practices provide the ability for website owners to build more clearer and effective navigation experiences. So in this article, we’d want to explore the issue of responsive navigation patterns that impact the way web designers approach the navigation. Read also: A COMPREHENSIVE WEBSITE PLANNING

What is Navigation?

Navigation is all about making it easier for users to find what they are looking for on a website. Generally, it consists of several parts used to communicate to the visitor about their future, present, and past we experience. So any navigation structure must answer the following questions every visitor has at the back of his or her mind when browsing through any website:

  • Past – Where I was?
  • Present – Where am I now?
  • Future – Where can I go next?

The Importance of Navigation

In a mobile-first world, navigation plays a crucial role. It strikes a balance between unobtrusiveness and quick access to a website’s information. Many users consider it to be even more important than search. Indeed, users rely on navigation first as it is faster and easier for them to click on a link than to use search. From this perspective, any inconsistencies in navigational structure may result in users getting lost on a website. Read also: WHAT ARE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A GOOD AND A GREAT WEB DESIGN COMPANY?

 

Takeaways

These were some of the most common responsive navigation patterns. However, user needs and behavior are likely to evolve over time. So these patterns should also be permanently reevaluated. At Loonar Studios, we are aware of the importance of correctly handled navigation on your website. As long as you use  proven navigation patterns, create clear architecture design, and perform testing, your users will have a great time using your site. Try to experiment with patterns listed above as well as with other patterns to check what works better for you. And as always feel free to contact us if you need any help.