cyberfrem.co.uk
(or "don't lead your visitors astray")
Summary:
- DO identify each page's location.
- DO implement a breadcrumb trail.
- DO limit a site's hierarchical depth.
- DO place navigation in a consistent location on every page.
- DON'T provide only graphical links.
- DON'T underline text unless it's a link.
- DON'T label links: "Click here".
- DO provide a 'way out' of every page.
Elaboration:
- "Where am I? How did I get here? Where do I go?"
- Ensure that your visitors can clearly determine: where they are, where they can go, and where they have been.
"You are here."- One good way to let a visitor know where he/she is in relation to the rest of the site, and how he/she got there, is to leave 'breadcrumbs' near the top of every page, except the home page. (These also allow visitors to go back several pages in a single click). Each item in a breadcrumb should be a link; except for the last one because it is the current page, eg. ' home » design guide » navigation ' as it appears at the top of this page.
Minimise the hierarchical depth of your site.- If possible, ensure that every one of your pages is no more than three clicks away.
"Where did I leave my compass?"- Place your navigation links in the same place on every page so that your visitors know where they need to look to find them.
Do not rely on purely graphical navigation.- Always provide alternative, equivalent textual links.
Do not underline text if it is not a link.- Underlining should be reserved for hyperlinks ONLY. Emphasise / indicate titles, etc. by other means, eg. emboldening.
Do not click here!- Avoid links that simply read 'Click here'; these are not very helpful to visually impaired visitors who use screen reader software. Call your link something meaningful that makes it clear where it will lead.
Provide a 'way out'.- Ensure that there are always links leading from every page, ie. do not leave the visitor 'hanging' with nowhere to go.