What are the best practices for website navigation?

Effective website navigation is key to helping users find what they’re looking for quickly and easily. Good navigation enhances user experience, reduces bounce rates, and improves conversions.

Here are the best practices:

1. Keep it clear and simple
   Use recognizable labels (like "Home", "About", "Services", "Contact") so users immediately know where to go.

2. Be consistent
   Keep navigation menus in the same place on every page. Use consistent styling and layout.

3. Make it mobile-friendly
   Use responsive menus, like hamburger menus, that are easy to use on phones and tablets.

4. Limit menu items
   Don’t overload your menu. Keep the number of top-level links between 5–7 for clarity.

5. Use dropdowns wisely
   Only use dropdown menus if truly necessary, and make sure they’re easy to interact with.

6. Highlight the current page
   Show users where they are in the site structure by highlighting the active link.

7. Include a search function
   Especially helpful for larger websites, search bars improve usability.