Imagine walking into a market where nothing is labeled. As you're walking around searching for bread, instead of clear signs, you see vague names like “Tender Star” or “Golden Delight.” 

Would you know where to find what you need? 

Probably not. Now you’re feeling frustrated for wasting time having to guess where items might be.

Think about this concept when it comes to websites. 

Your main navigation is like the signage in a store—it guides visitors to what they need. If your menu titles are unclear or your layout is confusing, users will struggle to find information, leading to frustration and, ultimately, them leaving your site.

What are some frequent mistakes?

1. Too Many Links 

A navigation menu overloaded with links can be overwhelming. If users see a long list of options, they might struggle to find what they need, leading to frustration. 

Instead:

Keep it simple – Stick to the most essential pages.

Use dropdown menus – Organize subcategories under main menu items.

Group related pages – Structure your menu logically to help users navigate effortlessly.

2. Very Long Navigation Titles

Imagine how cluttered your navigation would look if, instead of "Strawberry Pancakes," you labeled it "Pancakes with Strawberry Taste, Different Sizes, and Colors." Or instead of "Contact Us," your menu said "Here You Can Find Our Contact Information."

Long titles:

• Take up too much space.

• Can push menu items onto multiple lines, making them harder to read.

• Make navigation visually messy and confusing.

3. Hard-to-Read Colors or Fonts

Poor color choices and difficult-to-read fonts can make your navigation almost invisible. For example, using light gray text on a white background:

• Use high contrast between text and background.

• Choose simple, readable fonts (avoid overly decorative ones).

• Ensure the text size is large enough to read comfortably on all devices.

4. Unclear or Confusing Navigation Labels

Each menu item should clearly indicate what users will find when they click. If navigation labels are vague or misleading, visitors will hesitate or get lost.

Bad example: "Delights" (Too broad—what kind of delights?)
Better example: "Pancakes" (Clear and specific)

Bad example: "Sweet Choices" (What type of sweet choices?)
Better example: "Strawberry Pancakes" or "Chocolate Pancakes" (Gives users a clear expectation)

5. Poorly Placed Navigation

Your navigation should be in a familiar, easily accessible location. If it’s placed in an unusual spot, users may struggle to find it, leading to frustration and a higher chance of them leaving your site.

Best practices for placement:  

• Desktop: The main menu should be at the top of the page (header) or in a visible sidebar.

• Mobile: A hamburger menu (☰) should be in the top-left or top-right corner, where users expect it.

• Sticky navigation: Keeping the menu fixed at the top as users scroll can improve usability.

 Avoid placing navigation in:

• The bottom of the page, where users don’t usually look first.

• A hidden section that requires extra clicks to access.

• Non-standard positions that make it harder to locate.