Website Navigation Best Practices That Keep Visitors (and Google) Happy

Think about the last time you landed on a website and instantly knew where to click. Maybe you found the service you were looking for in two seconds, or you discovered a resource you didn’t even know you needed. That’s the power of good website navigation.

Now, think about the opposite: a site where you had to hunt through cluttered menus, click in circles, or give up entirely. That frustration is exactly what we’re trying to prevent for your own visitors.

Let’s look at some website navigation best practices that can improve both user experience and business results.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please see my full affiliate disclosure for further information.

Why Website Navigation Is Worth Your Time

A smoother user experience

Navigation is your website’s map. A clear map builds confidence; a confusing one sends people wandering away before they ever reach the good stuff.

More conversions

Simple, intuitive navigation shortens the path between curiosity and action. If someone can get to your booking page in one click, they’re far more likely to follow through.

Stronger SEO

Search engines rely on your navigation to understand your site. Internal links and logical structure help Google crawl your pages, while breadcrumbs and menus show visitors how content is connected.

Breadcrumbs are like “You are here” trails that show the path you’ve taken through a site. For example: Home > Blog > Website Navigation. They help visitors retrace their steps easily and keep your site feeling organized and intentional.

Strong navigation also makes your content marketing more effective. When readers can move easily from one post to another, they’re more likely to stay engaged and build trust in your brand. I share more about this in From Visibility to Trust: The True Benefits of Blogging for Business.

Professional impression

Consistent, polished navigation reinforces trust. If your menus look scattered or inconsistent, it can undercut even the best services.

Want a simple way to check if your website is supporting your goals?

Download my free Intentional Website Checklist. It’s a quick audit tool to see where your site is helping (or holding back) your business.

Website Navigation Best Practices

1. Keep it simple and clear

• Limit your main menu to 7 items or fewer.
• Use clear categories so visitors know where to click without guessing.
• Swap vague labels (“Info”) for descriptive ones (“Service Packages” or “Portfolio”).

💡 DIY Tip: Ask 2–3 people outside your industry to tell you what they expect when clicking each menu item. If they hesitate, the label probably needs work.

2. Prioritize user goals, not just your own

Your favorite page might be your About page, but your visitors might be hunting for pricing, booking, or your latest blog post. Keep their goals front and center.

💡 DIY Tip: Use analytics to see what pages visitors land on most often. I recommend Fathom Analytics if you’re looking for an easy-to-understand privacy-first platform.

✨ Designer Fix: During your Website Rejuvenation Day, I could restructure menus around your client journey, not just the pages you happen to like best.

3. Design for mobile first

More than half of web traffic happens on mobile. Test your menu on different screen sizes:

• Is it easy to tap without zooming?
• Do dropdowns collapse and expand without frustration?
• Is the text legible on small screens?

4. Add helpful navigation tools

• Breadcrumbs: let people see where they are in your site.
• Sticky headers*: keep menus visible while scrolling.
• Search bars: quick access for sites with a lot of content.

*A sticky header is simply a menu bar that stays “stuck” to the top of the page as you scroll. It saves visitors from having to scroll all the way back up to find your menu again, which is especially helpful on long pages.

💡 DIY Tip: Test your search bar with 5 common terms clients might use.

5. Be consistent everywhere

• Keep the same header and footer across all pages.
• Use uniform button styles and link formatting.
• Lean on templates to ensure layouts don’t drift over time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overcomplicating menus with too many layers.
• Using clever but unclear labels.
• Forgetting to optimize for mobile.
• Leaving broken links or orphan pages.
• Hiding your most important content three clicks deep.

DIY Fixes You Can Try Today

If you want to roll up your sleeves, here are a few quick improvements:

• Add a “Book Now” button or link in your main menu.
• Merge cluttered items into dropdowns.
• Increase text contrast for better readability.
• Add breadcrumbs to help visitors find their way back.
• Place a search bar in the header so it’s always visible.

These are small steps, but they can make a big difference. If you want structured worksheets and planners to walk you through the process, my Website Navigation Success Toolkit includes everything from a site structure guide to a fillable workbook so you can analyze your current navigation and map out improvements.

It’s designed to help DIY website owners create clear, client-friendly navigation without second-guessing.

When It’s Better to Hire Help

DIY works well for smaller fixes, but sometimes you need a full reset. If your website has:

• Dozens of outdated links and redirections
• A menu that grew messy as your business evolved
• Inconsistent layouts across pages
• Or just years of “patches” that never really solved the problem

…it may be time for a professional overhaul.

That’s exactly what my Website Rejuvenation Day is for. As one part of your day, I can restructure your menus, repair broken links, create consistent layouts, and set up navigation tools that work beautifully on desktop and mobile.

It’s the fastest way to take your site from “functional” to “effortless.”

Frequently Asked Questions