Are you familiar with the term ‘user experience’? It’s a buzzword that often gets thrown around a lot in the web design industry, and for many good reasons. The experience that a user has when they land on your website can make or break the impression that they develop of your business. And one of the most important aspects of the user experience is the website navigation. Keep reading to find out more about why navigation is so important in web design and what to look for in a web design agency with good navigation in mind.
What is Navigation in Web Design?
Navigation refers to the way in which a user moves around a website. It includes links, menus, and buttons that allow users to access different pages and features on the site. Essentially, the navigation is a map to guide users through a website.
Why is Good Navigation So Important?
There are several reasons why you should prioritise navigation in web design, as you will see below.
1. Improve the User Experience
As mentioned earlier, the user experience is crucial when it comes to web design. A good web development agency knows that good navigation makes it possible for users to easily find what they are looking for on a website. If a user is unable to find what they need on your website quickly and easily, they are likely to leave the site and never return to it. On the other hand, when a user is met with intuitive, user-friendly navigation, they are more likely to engage with the site and potentially make a purchase.
2. Boost SEO
Search engine optimisation (SEO) refers to the practice of optimising a website to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). It should always be a top priority when choosing a web development agency in the UK. Good navigation is crucial for SEO as search engines use it to crawl and index the site’s pages. When a site’s navigation is poorly organised or confusing, this can cause the search engines to struggle to understand the structure of the site. As a result, the site’s ranking may be negatively impacted.
3. Improve Accessibility
When designing a website, accessibility is an important consideration to make. When the site has good navigation, it will be more accessible to users with disabilities, such as those who use screen readers to get around the site. Always work with a web design agency that understands how good organisation and labelling make it easier for screen readers to navigate the site.
4. Reduce Bounce Rate
Bounce rate refers to the number of users that visit your website but leave without any interaction with it. If the bounce rate is high, this is often a sign that users are having trouble with navigating the site. Improving the navigation makes it easier for users to find what they are looking for, increasing engagement and reducing the bounce rate.
5. Boost Conversions
Ultimately, a website’s main goal is to convert visitors to customers. Good navigation can play a major role in this by making it easier for users to complete desired actions such as filling out a contact form or completing the checkout process.
Good navigation is a crucial part of a successful website, impacting a range of factors including user experience, accessibility, and SEO. It’s important to choose a web design agency that places a high value on good navigation and prioritises it in design.
