Are you losing customers due to a confusing website structure?

Boost user experience, drive sales, and interact seamlessly with your users through DBMANAGERS expert navigation solutions. Discover the significance of user-friendly navigation, learn about the fundamental principles and various types of e-commerce navigation. Join us on an exhilarating journey into the realm of convenient navigation, where we’ll share our proven practices for creating user-friendly and highly profitable online stores. Buckle up and get ready to soar!

Why is website navigation crucial?

Picture yourself wandering through an online store, feeling like you’re lost in a dark forest without a compass. It’s a truly terrifying experience – and the same goes for your users.

Navigation plays a vital role in shaping the user experience on a website. When visitors come to your site, they anticipate finding information effortlessly. If the navigation is confusing and inconvenient, it’s like being trapped in a horror movie, desperately searching for an escape route.

Discover proven practices for crafting user-friendly navigation that will keep your customers engaged and instill a deep sense of peace of mind. Say goodbye to losing customers and welcome a seamless browsing experience!

Unlock the secrets to effective website navigation

Unlock the secrets to effective website navigation based on research conducted by renowned experts such as the Nielsen Norman Group and UX specialists. Here are the principles and insights derived from their extensive studies:

Theory is valuable, but practical application is where the real magic happens. As experts in e-commerce, let’s delve deeper into this realm and demonstrate how we translate these research findings into tangible results.

How DBMANAGERS design approach aligns with the best practice

Basic navigation

Basic navigation serves as the primary guide for users, ensuring a smooth browsing experience. It’s crucial to make it clear, visible, and easily accessible. Based on design and requirements, we offer two types of navigation: horizontal and vertical.

A horizontal menu is typically placed in the header (top of the page), while a vertical menu can be positioned on the left side (sidebar). We recommend the horizontal option for sites with a concise navigation hierarchy (few sections and categories), while the vertical option is suitable for more complex hierarchies and extensive site sections.

Now that we’ve determined the appearance, let’s focus on populating the menu. The main menu of an e-commerce site should feature key categories and sections, facilitating quick and effortless discovery of products or information. Here are typical elements found in an e-commerce main menu: product categories, subcategories, promotions and sales, brands, information sections. Of course, the specific composition of the main menu can vary depending on your business’s nature and the products you offer.

Search Bar

Extensive research confirms the importance of having a search bar on your site, and we totally agree. Some users already know precisely what they’re looking for and how to phrase their search query. In such cases, we recommend placing the search bar prominently at the top of the site. Enhance its visibility by including a placeholder text like “What are you looking for?” and a search icon.

However, what if a user decides to utilize the search bar without a clear idea of what they want? That’s where helpful hints come into play. Take a look at what the search function looks like in this example:

Isn’t that convenient?

Now, let’s move on to discussing product filtering.

Product filtering

Product filtering plays a key role in navigation, particularly for stores with a diverse range of products. Filtering allows users to refine their preferences and effectively narrow down product options based on specific requirements.

DBMANAGERS recommend placing the filtering options on the left-hand side of the page, ensuring they are always readily accessible to users.

However, it’s crucial not to overlook the importance of guiding users and providing them with contextual awareness. It’s essential to remind customers of their current location within the site’s hierarchy and offer a clear path to navigate upward. Now, let’s explore the next vital element in achieving this seamless navigation experience.

Breadcrumb navigation

Breadcrumb navigation is a valuable element that displays the path from the main page to the current page, guiding users seamlessly through the site. They consist of a series of linked steps that enable users to easily retrace their steps and maintain their orientation. Here are some instances where breadcrumbs can be effectively utilized:

Product Category Page: When users explore a specific product category, breadcrumbs showcase the path from the home page to that particular category. For example, if a user is on the Women’s Shoes page within the Shoes category, the breadcrumbs could appear as follows: Home > HOME DECOR > Accents > Wall Art. This enables users to effortlessly navigate back to previous levels and explore other subsections.

Product Page: When users are on a specific product page, breadcrumbs offer the ability to return to the category they came from or navigate to more general categories. For instance, if a user is viewing the Black Leather Boots product page, the breadcrumbs may appear as: Home > HOME DECOR > Accents > Wall Art > Marble Wall Art.

By providing context and quick access to other products and categories, this functionality empowers users to efficiently explore the site and save valuable time.

Last but certainly not least, let’s talk about the Footer.

The footer serves as the bottom-of-the-page navigation and is a crucial component of the user experience. It provides additional links and valuable information for site visitors. Here are some examples of what the Footer can include:

• Links to Main Product Sections.
  Information about Delivery, Payment, Return, and Exchange: Don’t leave the user in the dark. This information is important for users to read before making a purchase decision.
• Links to Promotions and Discounts.
• Links to Information Sections: Include links to essential pages such as “About Us,” “Terms of Use,” “Privacy Policy,” and other relevant sections, enhancing transparency and trust.
• Links to Social Networks: Provide an additional point of contact with your customers by including links to your social media profiles, fostering engagement and community building.
• Newsletter Subscription Form: If you utilize email marketing, offer a convenient newsletter subscription form in the Footer to allow interested users to stay connected and receive updates.
• Contact Information: Display essential contact details, such as your phone number, email address, or physical address, ensuring users can easily reach out for assistance or inquiries.
• A well-crafted Footer ensures that users have access to important information, additional resources, and multiple avenues to engage with your brand.

By incorporating these elements, we effectively apply all eight principles mentioned earlier, resulting in a significantly enhanced user experience

As experienced e-commerce specialists, we are committed to assisting you in building your online store. Our expertise lies in implementing an intuitive and seamless navigation system that meets the needs of your users. Rest assured, DBMANAGERS approach will drive high conversion rates and boost sales for your online store.