Re: Navigation practices

Peter Jenkins wrote:

Is it considered OK to have differing styles of navigation for different types
of pages within a site, e.g. the articles, the newsletters, and the regional
contacts on this site. I cant think for the life of me of a logical navigation
model that will work equally well for all these different types of pages on the
site. What I intend to do is divide the site up into about 10-15 logical
sections, and have a "top page" for each section from which users can then go
down to the pages they want, a bit like I have for the articles section at
present. But this won't work for some sections, such as the press releases or
the newsletters. Is it OK to vary the navigation method depending on the
content?

the practicalities come first...if you need different
navigation systems then you should use them

it's probably worth keeping the location of the menus
fairly similar...and stay with the same colour
scheme...but go with what is required to make the site
work effectively before worrying about ANYTHING else

I think the most different navigation systems I've put on
a single domain is 5...a top and bottom text menu
throughout the lot...a side menu in some sections...a
drop down menu for a directory...a search facility...and
a section designed around a a set of "true/false" linked
questions...each was required in different places...we
got plenty of positive feedback and over several years
only one complaint that it was confusing, which turned
out to be due to a typo in the Danish part of the site

users need to know where the navigation will be...they
need to recognise how to use it when they see it...and
they need a clear idea of where it will take
them...that's all

--
eric
www.ericjarvis.co.uk
"Hey Lord don't ask me questions
There ain't no answer in me"