A navigation menu is a key component of any website’s layout, designed to help users quickly find and access the content they’re looking for. Think of it as a map that allows individuals to jump to significant pages such as the homepage, services, blog, or contact details.

A well-thought-out navigation menu provides a smooth and natural experience when you're navigating your website. You'll usually find it at the top of a page or occasionally along the side.

Types of navigation menus

A navigation menu can be set up in a few different ways, depending on what makes the most sense for your site.

• Horizontal menus. They extend over the top of the page and are generally employed for the top categories or most important pages.
• Vertical menus. Located on the side of the page, they are generally employed for subcategories or more detailed sections.
• Dropdown menus. When you place the mouse over or click on a main link, sub-links appear. This keeps the top menu clean but gives access to many options.

Some navigation menus are also sticky, remaining visible at the top of the screen even when you scroll. This is helpful for enabling users to visit other pages without having to scroll all the way back up.

How to create a navigation menu

Creating a navigation menu for your website doesn't have to be complicated.

1. Plan the structure. Decide which pages are the most important for your visitors to easily access. This usually includes your homepage, information about your products or services, and how to get in touch.
2. Use clear labels. Make sure the text you use for your menu items is simple and easy to understand. For instance, "About Us" is better than something vague like "Company Info."
3. Choose a layout. Decide if a horizontal or vertical menu makes more sense for your site, and whether you need dropdown menus.
4. Ensure mobile-friendliness. Your navigation needs to work well on phones and tablets too. A common solution for smaller screens is a "hamburger menu. It’s that little icon with three horizontal lines that expands when you tap it.
5. Test the menu. Before your website goes live, make sure all the links in your menu work correctly and that it's easy to use on different devices and screen sizes.

FAQs about navigation menus

Why is a navigation menu important?

A navigation menu is vital for making your website easy to use. It helps people find what they're looking for quickly, which keeps them engaged and reduces the chance of them leaving your site. 

What is a sticky navigation menu?

A sticky navigation menu stays fixed at the top of the screen as you scroll down the page. This means the menu is always in sight, making it faster and easier for visitors to move between different sections.

What are mega menus?

Mega menus are large dropdown menus that display a lot of options at once. They're often used on websites with a lot of content or categories, like e-commerce sites. They usually appear as a large panel with multiple columns of links.

How do I make my navigation menu mobile-friendly?

To make your navigation mobile-friendly, you need a responsive design that changes how the menu looks depending on the screen size. This often involves using a hamburger menu or a menu that collapses to save space on smaller screens.

What’s the difference between a navigation menu and a breadcrumb trail?

While both help with getting around a website, a navigation menu shows the main sections of the site, usually at the top or side. A breadcrumb trail, typically found near the top of a page, shows the user's current location within the website and provides links back to previous pages or sections.

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