| name | navigation-design |
| description | Menu patterns, breadcrumbs, search functionality, information architecture, and user flow. Navigation as the backbone of every website with accessible implementation. |
Navigation Design
Navigation is the table of contents of a website. It shows users at all times where they are, where they can go, and how to get back.
Scope
Use this skill when you:
- Design or review a navigation structure
- Select menu patterns for a specific website type
- Design breadcrumbs, meta navigation, or footer navigation
- Integrate a search function
- Translate information architecture into navigation
- Need to ensure accessible navigation
Principles
1. Navigation Is Orientation
Navigation shows users at all times where they are, where they can go, and how to get back. It is the table of contents of the website.
2. Information Architecture Before Navigation
Structure the content first, then derive the navigation from it. Never the other way around.
3. Clarity Over Creativity
When naming navigation items, clarity takes precedence over originality. Users must be able to predict what lies behind a link.
4. Visibility on Large Screens
Never hide the navigation on desktop. The hamburger menu is a mobile pattern, not a universal pattern.
5. 3-Click Rule as a Guideline
Users should be able to reach any important information in a maximum of 3 clicks. Not as a dogma, but as a design benchmark.
Rules
DO: Structure the Main Navigation Clearly
- LIMIT the main navigation to 5-7 items.
- PLACE the most important links at the beginning and end (Serial Position Effect).
- START with the core offering, end with the primary CTA ("Contact", "Book a Demo").
- USE a horizontal main navigation in the header as the default.
DO: Use Descriptive Menu Items
- NAME menu items precisely (e.g., "WordPress Tutorials" instead of "Tutorials").
- USE the language of the target audience, not internal jargon.
- INTEGRATE relevant keywords for SEO.
DO: Offer Multiple Navigation Paths
- COMBINE main navigation, meta navigation, footer navigation, and breadcrumbs.
- PROVIDE a search function starting at approximately 100 subpages.
- USE in-page links within the content area.
- ADD a "back to top" button on long pages.
DO: Use Meta Navigation
- PLACE meta navigation in the top-right of the header.
- INCLUDE: search function, language selector, login, contact, legal notice.
- KEEP the meta navigation identical across all pages.
DO: Use the Footer as Supplementary Navigation
- REPEAT the most important links in the footer.
- ADD secondary links (terms & conditions, privacy policy, sitemap, social media).
- GROUP footer links thematically with clear headings.
DO: Use Breadcrumbs Correctly
- USE breadcrumbs when there are more than 2 hierarchy levels.
- START with a link to the homepage.
- The current page is the last element and is not a link.
- PLACE breadcrumbs directly below the global navigation.
DO: Implement Accessible Navigation
- ENSURE full keyboard operability.
- IMPLEMENT visible focus indicators.
- USE a logical tab order and skip links.
- SIZE touch targets to a minimum of 44x44px.
- MAINTAIN minimum contrast of 4.5:1 for text, 3:1 for icons.
DON'T: Use Hamburger Menu on Desktop
- ALWAYS show the full main navigation on large screens.
- DO NOT hide navigation behind icons when sufficient space is available.
DON'T: Build Overly Deep Hierarchies
- AVOID more than 3 navigation levels.
- LIMIT dropdown menus to 2-3 levels.
DON'T: Hide Navigation Creatively
- AVOID unconventional navigation positions.
- DO NOT use icons without text labels for primary navigation items.
Patterns
Navigation Concept by Website Type
| Website Type | Recommended Navigation |
|---|
| Corporate | Horizontal main nav + footer + breadcrumbs |
| E-Commerce | Mega menu + search with filters + breadcrumbs |
| Blog | Main nav + category/tag navigation + pagination |
| Portfolio | Minimalist, category filters, subtle |
| Content Portal | Multi-level + tags + robust search + breadcrumbs |
| One-Page | Scroll navigation + back-to-top button |
Mega Menu
For e-commerce and large content portals. Full-width dropdown with multi-column layout, maximum 2-3 levels. Visual previews for categories, most important categories on the left (eye-tracking). For details, see references/navigation-patterns.md.
Sidebar Navigation
For web applications, dashboards, documentation sites. Vertical navigation on the left, collapsed to icons only, with full labels on hover/click.
Scroll Navigation (One-Page)
For portfolio sites, event landing pages. Navigation items scroll to the section, the active item highlights on scroll. "Back to top" button after a defined scroll depth.
Site Search
Starting at approximately 100 subpages. Search field in the header, highly visible. Autocomplete for large websites. Zero-results page with alternative suggestions.
Anti-Patterns
Generic Menu Item Labels
"Services", "Products", "More" without specification. Users cannot predict what to expect. Solution: Precise labels: "Web Design Packages", "WordPress Themes".
Too Many Menu Items
10+ items in the main navigation. Overwhelms users, slows decision-making. Solution: Maximum 7 items. Move secondary links to meta navigation or footer.
Icon-Only Navigation Without Labels
Icons are ambiguous. Not all users know icon conventions. Solution: Always combine icons with text labels, at minimum as a tooltip.
Dropdown on Hover for Touch Devices
Dropdown menus do not work on touch devices. Solution: Hover menus with toggle option. First tap opens, second tap navigates.
Broken Back Button Behavior
Browser back button does not function correctly (SPA routing errors). Solution: Implement the History API correctly.
Checklist
Structure
Naming
Elements
Visual Feedback
Accessibility
Cross-References
usability -- Navigation as a core usability elementresponsive-design -- Responsive navigation (hamburger, breakpoints)accessibility -- Accessible navigation (WCAG, keyboard, ARIA)ui-design -- Visual design of navigation elementsbranding-identity -- Navigation as a brand touchpoint
