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UX Design Tips: Navigation Menus (Navbar)

Our UX Designer's advice on how to make your website easier to navigate by optimising its navigation menu (Navbar)!

Published on 
18/1/2022
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Amended on 
5/3/2024
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5 min
Navigation menus and UX design written on a background of navbar templates

Navigation menus (navbars) are among the most frequently viewed and clicked elements of a website's interface. They are essential in a website because they allow easy access from one page to another.

Let's explore some navigation style principles that will give our users a better experience. Here are our top UX Design tips for your Navbar.

Tip 1: Place the navigation menu in a strategic location

The location of your navbar is important. The Web has developed a transparent and "standard" pattern for the location of the navigation menu: At the very top, on the left side or in the footer. When menus are placed outside of these areas, it is difficult, confusing and even exhausting to find them.

Place the navigation menu in a strategic location


Tip 2: Help the user to know where they are

Clearly state the user's current location. Use several clues, like the ones below, to help them find theirway. Our customers should never be surprised to know where they are.


Help the user to know where they are


Tip 3: Use Mega Menus instead of drop-down lists

Research suggests that mega-menus are more user-friendly than drop-down lists. This is because they show the entire content at a glance. They are also more likely to use images, allow for more grouping and are more attractive.


Use Mega Menus instead of drop-down lists


Tip 4: Use effective hyperlink titles

A person should have no problem expecting that a hyperlink will take them where they want to go before they click on it (this is called the smell of statistics). The most important element in this respect is the quality of ourhyperlink labelling activity.

Use effective hyperlink titles

Tip 5: Place a suitable number of objects

The right amount of items on your menu depends on things like the complexity of your product or the level of knowledge of your customers. But try to keep it to less than 6 or 7 items. The order is also important!


Place a suitable number of objects


Tip 6: Don't hide your navigation menu

Navigation menus are one of the most clicked parts of the interface, and as they provide essential contextual records to the user, they must be constantly visible.

Lately, the default menu on cells seems to be the hamburger menu, but there are options that do not completely cover the navigation menu: tabs, innovative grouping, drop-down lists, etc.

Don't hide your navigation menu


Bonus tip: Focus on the visual layout

A good user interface layout makes a big difference. Below are some tips on how to create a better experience. If in doubt, test it! And don't neglect rough accessibility.

Focus on the visual layout

That's it, you can now optimise your navigation menu with our UX Design tips. Now you can discover our tips for a successful UX design of your site. Moreover, if you wish, we can convert your figma file into a Webflow site!

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