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Jul 19, 2003 
dazza | Site Info > Navigation

Navigation

Index:
  1. Navigation issues.
  2. Navigation plan.
  3. Access Key navigation.
  4. Alternative methods.
  5. Links.
  6. Resources and references.

Navigation issues.

The navigation hierarchies on many web sites are confusing which frustrates visitors to a website, they can't find what they actually want.

Navigation plan.

Global Navigation.
Each page will have a simular layout. A navigation bar with links to the main subject areas and a Site Info panel relating to information about construction of the site.
Page Navigation.
Where appropriate pages will have an index leading uses to subsections of the page. For example as used in this page.
Index:
  1. Navigation issues.
  2. Navigation plan.
  3. Access Key navigation.
  4. Alternative methods.
  5. Links.
  6. Resources and references.
KISS or Keep it Simple Stupid.
Subject areas are organised into separate folders. Clicking onto the audio link on the navigation bar takes you to files about audio.
Breadcrumbs.
The user knows where they are in relation to the whole site. In the example below the user knows they have reached a page about accessible design which is in the design section of a my (dazza) website.

dazza | design > accessible design

Clicking onto the link named design takes the user one level up the hierarchy to the starting page of the design section.

Access Key navigation.

Access key navigation is used throughout this site. Visitors can go to a page by pressing a key.

H = home. R = resume. A = Audio. S = Showcase. D = Design. C = Contact Details.

To activate the access key on a Macintosh computer hold CTL + H to get to the home page.

Alternative methods.

 

Links.

 

Resources and references.

Karen Stuart, "The Top Ten Mistakes of Web Design", internet.au, issue 84 Oct 2002, p 31.

W3C Web Accessibility Initiative.
http://www.w3c.org/WAI/

Daryl Croke©, 2003.
darylallan@netspace.net.au