The navigation area of a website refers to a set of user interface elements that enable visitors to locate content and functionalities on the site. These elements may include menu items, buttons, countdown bars, and link text.
Why is website navigation important for conversion?
Website navigation and conversion are two critical aspects that go hand-in-hand to determine the success of a website. Navigation refers to the way a website is structured to make it easy for users to find the information they are looking for, while conversion refers to the ability of a website to convert visitors into customers, subscribers, or followers.
Having effective website navigation is critical in enhancing the user experience and ensuring that users can easily find what they’re looking for on a website.
Make your website navigation a seamless map
Handing users a clear map instead of allowing them to be left confused in a maze is key to creating a great user experience. The more user-friendly your website’s navigation is, the longer users are likely to spend on your site, get familiar with your offers and services, and as a result decide to hire you or buy from you.
When visitors are able to find what they are looking for, they are more likely to stay on your website longer and engage with your content. This increased engagement can lead to higher conversion rates.
On the other hand, poor website navigation can lead to frustration and confusion among visitors, which can cause them to leave your website and go to a competitor’s website instead. This can result in lost opportunities for conversion.
How to optimize website navigation for increased conversion
1. Make it clear:
Make your navigation stands out and not hidden, so the options and content you offer are clear for your visitors at first glance. Keep ample space between your menu items, let them breathe, and inhale some white space. Remember to test the contrast between the navigation item title and the background.
2. Keep it simple:
The simpler your website navigation is, the easier it will be for visitors to use. Stick to a clear, concise menu structure that is easy to follow and understand. Avoid cluttering the navigation bar with too many options. Instead, focus on the essential pages that visitors are likely to visit, such as the Home page, About Us, Products, Blog, and Contact.
3. Reduce your navigation links to 7
If your website’s navigation contains a large number of items, it can make it harder for your visitors to scan and process the information, and having too many items can cause visitors to overlook important ones.
Don’t make it challenging for your visitors to locate the information or content they came looking for. As with most things related to conversion, less is often more.
4. Add a Call-To-Action
Remember to be consistent with your branding elements, fonts, and colors in your navigation. Use the same button style as the rest of your site. This is when you are starting to ‘train’ your visitors about your ACTION color.
5. Keep social icons out of the navigation area
Think of social icons as EXIT signs. You don’t point your visitors away from your website. When they click on social media icons, you’re sending them to a place with a lot of distractions. Social channels are filled with ads, YOUR COMPETITORS, fun events, cute kittens, and the latest dances.
Once they are gone, they are not likely to come back.
It’s totally fine to add your social channels icons to the footer, but keep them out of the navigation.
