With mobile devices, we often think about hamburger menus, full-page overlays, and animated slide-in menus when it comes to complex navigation on mobile. However, some of these options don't work well and there are other design patterns that might be worth exploring instead.
Here are 10 Ideas for Creating the Ideal Mobile Navigation User Experience
Keep It Simple
Avoid cluttering the UI with unnecessary elements, but rather focus on making navigation simple and intuitive for users.
Leverage Breadcrumbs
These provide additional context to help orient users in their current location within the app and make it easy to navigate back up a level or two.
Utilize Search Bars
If your navigation is too complex, adding a search bar can simplify finding items of interest quickly and easily.
Offer Multiple Routes To Content Pages
Give users multiple ways to reach content pages through different categories or menus if possible. This allows users to find their way around more easily without becoming frustrated by having only one path available to them.
Include Hierarchical Navigation
If your app or website has a complex structure, a hierarchical navigation system is key to make it easier for users to understand and navigate through the content.
Break Down Complex Tasks Into Smaller Steps
Try breaking down complex tasks into smaller steps in order to reduce the cognitive load on the user. This helps simplify their experience and makes them more likely to finish their task successfully and quickly.
Use Contextual Menus
Contextual menus provide relevant options based on where the user is located within the app or website, as well as what actions they have taken previously allowing for a more customized experience.
Allow Access To The Homepage From Anywhere
Make sure users can access the homepage or main landing page of the app from anywhere within it. This will ensure they can always find their way back to a starting point.
Utilize Visual Cues
Use visual indicators such as arrows, icons, and colour-coding to help orient users as they navigate through your app or website and make more complex navigation tasks easier for them to understand.
Test & Iterate
As with all design decisions, user testing is key to making sure you’re creating the best possible experience for your users. Gather feedback and iterate on any areas that may not be working as well as intended in order to continuously improve the overall navigation experience for everyone!
Creating the ideal mobile navigation user experience doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. A well-designed mobile navigation menu should help make it easier for users to find what they need quickly and without confusion. Ultimately, this should result in increased satisfaction with your product or service and improved customer engagement with your website overall. So why not take the time now to get it right? Your users will thank you.
By implementing these 10 ideas, you can create an ideal mobile navigation user experience that is both user-friendly and efficient. Users will be able to quickly find what they need without having to struggle through complex menus or search endlessly for the right page. This can improve and you can ensure that users have a great experience navigating your site on their smartphones with engagement and help keep your visitors coming back again and again!