d-tags
Loading...Website’s navigation - what is it?
In other words, a website’s navigation is a kind of internal link structure. It means that the links between individual subpages of the website are intuitive and simple to use, both for users and for Google robots that "scan" the page.
The internal link structure consists of the following elements:
- website architecture, meaning a transparent menu, division into categories and subcategories,
- the appropriate content hierarchy,
- linking from blog posts to products,
- and many other elements that will be discussed later in the entry.
Why does website’s navigation matter and how does it affect SEO?
A well-designed website’s navigation enables users to quickly and easily find on the site everything they need. That's why it's among the most important elements of technical SEO services.
Apart from making the Internet users’ lives easier, a site’s navigation allows Google robots to crawl the page much more efficiently. As you can see, a proper internal link structure affects users’ satisfaction level, improves your visibility and conversion rate. Consequently, a correct website’s navigation has an impact not only on UX but also on SEO activities.
Keep it in mind and check your site’s navigation. Is it clear and transparent for users who visit your site? Below you can find the most important elements that are characteristic of a well optimized website’s navigation.
How to make your website’s navigation better?
- User-friendly page - UX
- Proper website architecture
The individual categories should be divided into subcategories which should contain specific products. Let’s have the Delante website as an example - the category "Services" is subdivided into "SEO", "SEO Audit", "SEO Consultation", "SEO Copywriting", "PPC".
Furthermore, the “SEO” subcategory comprises specific services like e-commerce, long tail and international SEO or link building. This way, clients are navigated through the site and can easily reach information that is of interest to them.
As another example, we can use a clothing store from the e-commerce sector. The main categories there will include "Women's clothing", "Men's clothing", "Children's clothing". However, “Women’s clothing” will be further subdivided into "Dresses" and then into "Maxi dresses" or "Mini dresses" and only then users would see specific products.
Brand related keywords such as clothing store, or online clothing store should be linked to the homepage. Cognately, women’s clothing should be assigned to the “women’s clothing” subcategory. The “dresses” subcategory should be described by keywords related to women’s dresses. However, more detailed long-tail keywords need to match individual products.
You can use the three-click rule when you design your website. It simply assumes that users should be able to access the necessary information on the site with maximally three clicks. Of course, as always there are exceptions to this rule and you shouldn’t try to follow it blindly. Although it can be helpful, you shouldn’t perceive your website only through the prism of the number of clicks. Instead, focus on designing an intuitive and transparent site’s navigation and menu.
- Breadcrumbs
- The relevance of content hierarchy
- Linking products on the blog
- URL tracking parameters
- Responsive web design
