Information Architecture for the World Wide Web

Types of Navigation Systems

A complex web site often includes several types of navigation systems. To design a successful site, it is essential to understand the types of systems and how they work together to provide flexibility and context.

Hierarchical Navigation Systems

Although we may not typically think of it this way, the information hierarchy is the primary navigation system. From the main page to the destination pages that house the actual content, the main options on each page are taken directly from the hierarchy (see Figure 4.5). As noted earlier, the hierarchy is extremely important, but also rather limiting. It is these limitations that often require additional navigation systems.

Figure 4-5. Global Navigation Systems

Global Navigation Systems

A global or site-wide navigation system often complements the information hierarchy by enabling greater vertical and lateral movement throughout the entire site. At the heart of most global navigation systems are some standard rules that dictate the implementation of the system at each level of the site.

The simplest global navigation system might consist of a graphical navigation bar at the bottom of each page on the site. On the main page, the bar might be unnecessary, since it would duplicate the primary options already listed on that page. On second level pages, the bar might include a link back to the home page and a link to ...