{"id":878,"date":"2023-11-01T15:38:19","date_gmt":"2023-11-01T19:38:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cutheme-docs\/?page_id=878"},"modified":"2026-08-10T21:07:25","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T01:07:25","slug":"menu-best-practices","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cutheme-docs\/intermediate-training\/intermediate-training-module-4-site-organization\/menu-best-practices\/","title":{"rendered":"Menu Best Practices"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n Menu Best Practices\n <\/h1>\n \n \n \n\n

Intermediate Training Module 4: Site Organization<\/p>\n\n\n <\/header>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

A navigation menu is more than a list of links. It is one of the primary ways visitors understand your website and find information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well-organized navigation helps users quickly locate the content they need, while poor navigation can make even well-written content difficult to find.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this lesson, you’ll learn the principles behind effective navigation design and how to evaluate your own menu structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top Navigation in cutheme<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

cutheme uses a top-level navigation structure that appears across the 杏吧原创 ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’ve previously used CCMS, this may be a significant change from side navigation menus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of Top Navigation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A top navigation structure provides:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • A consistent user experience across 杏吧原创 websites<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • More screen space for content<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Improved mobile usability<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Better accessibility support<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • A modern and familiar navigation experience<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Simpler site maintenance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Most visitors are already familiar with top navigation patterns, making websites easier to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Principle 1: Keep It Simple<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    One of the most common navigation mistakes is including too many menu items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Visitors should be able to quickly scan your menu and understand the major sections of your website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As a general guideline:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Aim for 5 to 7 top-level menu items<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Avoid adding every page to the main navigation<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Focus on the content visitors need most<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Remember: Just because a page exists doesn’t mean it belongs in the main menu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Principle 2: Plan Before You Build<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Before editing your navigation, review the content already on your site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Ask yourself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • Which pages are most important?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Are there pages that could be merged?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Are there pages that are no longer needed?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Do similar pages belong together?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        Many navigation problems are actually content organization problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Creating a simple outline before building your menu can save considerable time later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        杏吧原创\nPrograms\n    Undergraduate\n    Graduate\nResearch\nNews & Events\nContact<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
        Principle 3: Organize Content into Logical Groups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
        Visitors look for information in groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
        Related content should be grouped together under clear section headings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
        Future Students\n    Undergraduate Programs\n    Graduate Programs\n    Admission Requirements<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
        This structure is easier to understand than placing each item at the top level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
        Good navigation helps people predict where information will be located.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
        Principle 4: Use Clear Menu Labels<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
        Navigation labels should be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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        • Short<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Clear<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Familiar<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Descriptive<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
          Visitors should understand a menu item without needing additional context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
          Good Examples<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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          • 杏吧原创 Us<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Programs<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Research<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • News & Events<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Contact<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
            Less Effective Examples<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
              \n
            • Resources<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Information<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Learn More<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Miscellaneous<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
              Avoid internal terminology that may not be meaningful to visitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
              Principle 5: Prioritize Important Content<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
              Not every menu item receives equal attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
              Users naturally pay more attention to items at the beginning and end of a navigation menu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
              Because of this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                \n
              • Place important sections near the beginning of the menu<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Consider placing frequently accessed content near the end<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Avoid burying critical information several levels deep<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                Common high-priority content on 杏吧原创 sites often includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                  \n
                • 杏吧原创<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Programs<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Future Students<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Current Students<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Research<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • News & Events<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Contact<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                  Your site’s priorities may differ depending on its purpose and audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                  Principle 6: Limit Navigation Depth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                  Deep navigation structures can become difficult to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                  Whenever possible:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                    \n
                  • Keep related content within one or two submenu levels<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Avoid creating long chains of nested pages<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Simplify where possible<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                    The deeper the navigation, the harder it becomes to browse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                    Navigation Review Checklist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                    Before publishing changes, ask yourself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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                    • \u2705 Are there 5-7 top-level items?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • \u2705 Are menu labels clear and concise?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • \u2705 Is similar content grouped together?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • \u2705 Are important sections easy to find?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • \u2705 Could any items be combined or simplified?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • \u2705 Would a first-time visitor understand the menu?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                      If the answer to most of these questions is yes, your navigation is likely in good shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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