Trivial Navigation Mistakes That Cost You Conversions

What is the primary job of a website? It is to earn your conversions. So, once your target users reach your website, what do you do to make them stay longer?

How superbly designers of a web design Toronto company work on the navigation of your website, will decide if people will stay and browse through the web pages.

In simple terms, navigation means being able to find your way in a complex system. Similarly, once any user reaches your website, he is on the lookout for some of the other answers. Hence, instead of getting impressed by the graphics or layout of the website, they will be searching for a way to reach their answers easily.

In short, the easier it is for people to find what they are looking for, the more will people stay on your website. However, contrary to these facts, many web developers fail to create an easy path for people to tread on.

This article is about the five navigation mistakes that one must avoid to make an engaging website.

1. Segmenting the main menu with too many sub-menus

As per current market practices, less is more. Today, we know the fact that the more choices you give, the lesser are your chances to convert a potential client. Which is why, it is a standard practice in agencies of web development Canada to chalk out users journey minimally and most easily.

The more a client has to click around to look for answers on your site, the lesser will his interest be to continue on the site.

Similar is the case with navigation. The more options you put in the menus, the lesser are your chances of people clicking on them. Now, you could say that big corporations or government agencies do use this very way. Yes, they do use this way to explain or market their products or services. However, these websites are not serving for commercial gains like selling products. That is, they are not using the website to sell products. Rather, these websites serve as an informational platform.

Which is why, putting too many sub-categories under each head will not only lead to a lot of confusion. But also, will not serve the purpose of engaging your clients' attention for longer. Because, users will be confused and will look for other options (aka competitors).

2. Trying navigation ways other than the customary practice

You, me and everybody know that the navigation bar on a website is mostly on the top or on the left side of a webpage. What if you don't find one? For instance, say, the navigation is in the form of a false button.

Or there are a few, who think that using images or buttons like this website denotes easier navigation.

However, instead of making navigation easier, these very tactics make it difficult for users to get the point. That is to say, most may not understand what the image denotes and go through a vicious circle of finding their desired web pages.

For instance, ads interrupt the flow of a website, or big images or short videos blocking the navigation bar. Due to such hindrances, people will stop and start looking at the photo or the video. And in all this, forget about the intention of visiting the website in the first place. So, instead of continuing on your website, the person may make a move to a different website.

3. Using difficult typography and color scheme in the navigation pane

Has anyone seen a dark theme website with a darker font on it? For example, a dark red font in a dark theme. One will not be able to read a line on such made websites. Navigation is to make things easier and not to make things difficult. But if the web design has a complex mix of typography and colors, it’s uneasy for a person to read it.

4. Your navigation is linked to a site under construction or an error page

Imagine clicking on a “contact us” page and landing on a site under construction page or an error page. How do you feel? Irritated of course.

If a certain web page is not ready, there is no need to mention it on the navigation panel. In fact, companies engaged in web development Ontario always say that if a web page is not ready, publishing it on the world wide web leaves a bad impression on a website. Because, people find it unprofessional that a page is being suggested that isn’t even existing.

5. Not making it simple for people to understand

Lastly, navigation is similar to a compass while trekking. A trekker needs a compass to know which way to head to. In the same way, consistent navigation makes it easy for every user to browse through the website. The easier a user can reach his answers, the more likely he will prefer to use your products or services. In short, the easier an agency of web development Mississauga makes it for its user, the better will the users find the navigation on your website.