Choosing The Navigation Position On Your Site
The underlying framework of most modern websites are four regions: header, footer, navigation, and content. This article addresses three common orientations of the navigation region, along with the pros and cons of each option.
Horizontal Navigation
Pros
Unobtrusive. This layout does not interfere with the content of any of the pages.
Concise. This layout does not waste any space on the page. This is an advantage over vertical navigation which may create a large section of unused space below it.
Cons
Not flexible. After launching the site, adding links to or removing links from the navigation may require altering the design of the site, thereby increasing cost.
Vertical Navigation (Left Side)
Pros
Puts focus on navigation. Since western readers read from left to right this layout will give the highest priority to the navigation. This is a good option for sites that have many pages that are relevant, but have relatively low amounts of content on each page, such as an online store.
Flexible. This layout allows new links to be added and removed without having to worry about restructuring the layout of the page.
Cons
Wastes space. The navigation will be as tall as the content section, but unless you have many links, most of your navigation column will be empty.
Vertical Navigation (Right Side)
Pros
Puts the focus on content. Most people read from left to right, this means your content will be the first thing readers see. This is ideal for sites that have a lot of content, such as a blog.
Flexible. This layout allows new links to be added and removed without having to worry about restructuring the layout of the page.
Convenience. Many users tend to keep their mouse cursor close to the scroll bar. Since the scrollbar is on the right side of the page, by keeping navigation on the right side it will be closer to their mouse cursor.
Cons
Wastes space. The navigation will be as tall as the content section, but unless you have many links, most of your navigation column will be empty.
Need More Assistance? Have Additional Questions? Give us a call at 616-796-9936 or email us at studio@36squares.com and we will be glad to help you out.
Additional Reading:
http://www.problogdesign.com/blog-layout/should-a-sidebar-go-on-the-left-or-right/
http://www.webmaster-source.com/2008/02/04/right-vs-left-sidebar/
http://www.addicottweb.com/2008/11/sidebar-placement-do-you-lean-to-the-right-or-the-left/
The underlying framework of most modern websites are four regions: header, footer, navigation, and content. This article addresses three common orientations of the navigation region, along with the pros and cons of each option.
Horizontal Navigation
Pros
- Unobtrusive. This layout does not interfere with the content of any of the pages.
- Concise. This layout does not waste any space on the page. This is an advantage over vertical navigation which may create a large section of unused space below it.
Cons
- Not flexible. After launching the site, adding links to or removing links from the navigation may require altering the design of the site, thereby increasing cost.
Vertical Navigation (Left Side)
Pros
- Puts focus on navigation. Since western readers read from left to right this layout will give the highest priority to the navigation. This is a good option for sites that have many pages that are relevant, but have relatively low amounts of content on each page, such as an online store.
- Flexible. This layout allows new links to be added and removed without having to worry about restructuring the layout of the page.
Cons
- Wastes space. The navigation will be as tall as the content section, but unless you have many links, most of your navigation column will be empty.
Vertical Navigation (Right Side)
Pros
- Puts the focus on content. Most people read from left to right, this means your content will be the first thing readers see. This is ideal for sites that have a lot of content, such as a blog.
- Flexible. This layout allows new links to be added and removed without having to worry about restructuring the layout of the page.
- Convenience. Many users tend to keep their mouse cursor close to the scroll bar. Since the scrollbar is on the right side of the page, by keeping navigation on the right side it will be closer to their mouse cursor.
Cons
- Wastes space. The navigation will be as tall as the content section, but unless you have many links, most of your navigation column will be empty.
Need More Assistance? Have Additional Questions? Give us a call at 616-796-9936 or email us at studio@36squares.com and we will be glad to help you out.
Additional Reading:
