Navigation Systems

When we have lards amount of information then to organize the information space we divided the information space into groups and label them. To look for any information atom we need to search for its link information its group. This is done using browsing/navigation user can get lost in the information space but a well-designed taxonomy may reduce the chances that user will become lost. So generally Navigation Systems are beneficial if information is organized using the hierarchy model. Complementary navigation tools are often needed to provide context and to allow for greater flexibility.

Navigation and Searching

Navigation and Searching both are used for finding information. Navigation searches for the information to be found by moving between links available. But information searching we give the information about the information to be found as text to the search engine and search engine does the task of finding information for users. We can search for a phrase but can't navigate.

Types of Navigation Systems !

Embedded/integrated Navigation Systems

Embedded Navigation Systems are typically wrapped around and infused within the content of the site. These systems provide context and flexibility helping users understand where they are and where they can go. Embedded Navigation Systems can be further divided into three categories:

Global (site-wide) Navigation System: By definition, a global navigation system is intended to be present on every page throughout a: site. It is often implementing in the form of a navigational bar at the top of each page. These site wide navigation systems allow direct access to key areas and functions, no matter where the user travels in the site's hierarchy. Most global navigation systems provide a link to the home page. Many provide a link to the search function.

Local Navigation Systems: Local Navigation Systems enable users to explore the immediate area. Some lightly controlled sites integrate global and local navigation into a coexistent unified system. A user who selects business sees different nevi anion options than a reader who selects sports, but both sets of options area presented within the same navigation framework. These local navigation systems and the content to which they provide access are often so different that these local areas are referred to as sub sites or sites within sites. Sub sites exist because (1) areas of content and functionality really do merit a unique navigation approach (2) due to decentralized nature of large organization different groups of people are often responsible for different content areas and each group may decide to handle navigation differently.

Contextual Navigation system: Some relationships don't fit neatly into the structured categories of global and local navigation. This demands the creation of contextual navigation links specific to a particular page, document or object. E.g. Words or phrases within sentences are represented as embedded or inline hypertext links. On an e-commerce site, these “See Also” links can point users to related products and services. In this way contextual navigation supports associative learning. Users learn by exploring the relationship you define between items. They might learn about useful products they didn't know about.

Supplemental/ Remote Navigation System

These navigation systems are external to the basic hierarchy of a website and provide complementary ways of finding content and completing tasks. These navigation systems provide users with and emergency backup. Some of the examples of Remote navigation Systems are

Sitemaps: In a book/ magazine, the table of contents presents the top few levels of the information hierarchy. It shows the organization structure for the printed work and supports random as well as linear access to the content through the use of chapter and page numbers. In context of websites a sitemap provides a board view of the content in the website and facilities random access to segmented portions of that content. A sitemap can employ graphical or text based links to provide the user with direct access to pages of the site. A sitemap is the most natural for websites that lend themselves to hierarchical organization. But for a small website with only two or three hierarchical levels a sitemap may be unnecessary.

Site Indexes: Similar to the back of book index found in many print materials, a web based index presents keywords organization phrases alphabetically, without representing the hierarchy. Unlike a table of contents indexes are relatively flat, presenting only one or two levels of depth. Therefore indexes work well for users who already know the name of the item they are looking for. Large complex Websites often require both a sideman and a site index. For small sites, a site index alone may be sufficient. A major challenge in indexing a website involves the level of granularity.

Methods to create index are
1).For small sites create content to inform decisions about which links to include.
2).For large sites, use controlled vocabulary indexing at the document level to drive automatic generation of tie site index.
Guides: Guides take several forms including guided tours, tutorials and micro portal focused around a specific audience topic or task. In each case, guides supplement the existing means of navigating and understanding site content. Guides typically feature linear navigation but hyper textual navigation should be available to provide additional flexibility.
Rules for designing guides:

1).The guide should be short.
2).At any point, the user should be ably to exit the guide.
3).Navigation should be located information the same spot on every page so that users can easily step back and forth through the guide.
4).The guide should be designed to answer questions.
5).Screenshots should be crisp, clear and optimized with enlarged details of key features.
6).If the guide includes more than a few pages, it may need its own table of contents.

Uses of Guides

1).Guides often serve is a useful toil for introducing new users to the content and functionality of a website.
2).Guides can be valuable marketing tools for restricted access websites enabling you to show potential customers what they will get for their moneys.
3).Guides can be valuable internally, providing an opportunity to showcase key features of a redesigned site to colleagues, managers and venture capitalists.

Linking between Navigation and searching: Searching is loosely linked with integrated Navigation Systems and tightly linked with Remote Navigation systems.

Designing Elegent Navigation Systems !

Designing navigation systems that work well is challenging. You’ve got so many possible solutions to consider and lots of sexy technologies such as pop-up menus and dynastic site maps can distract you from what’s really important: building context, improving flexibility, and helping the user to find the information they need. No single combination of navigation elements works for all web sites. One size does not fit all. Rather, you need to consider the specific goals, audience, and content for the project at hand, if you are to design the optimal solution.

However there is a process that should guide you through the challenged of navigation system design. It begins with the hierarchy. As the primary navigation System, the hierarchy influences all other decisions. The choice of major categories at the highest levels of the website will determine design of the global navigation system. Based on the hierarchy, you will be able select key pages or types of pages that should be accessible from every other page on the web site in turn, the global navigation system will determine design of the local and then ad hoc navigation systems. At each level of granularity. You design of the higher order navigation system will influence decision at the next level.

Once you have designed the integrated navigation system, you can consider the addition of on or more remote navigation elements. In most cases, you will need to choose between a table of contents, an index, and a sitemap. Is the hierarchy strong and clear? Then perhaps a table of contents makes sense. Does the hierarchy get in the way? Then you might consider an index. Does the information lend it self to visualization? If so, a sitemap may be appropriate. Is there a need to help new or prospective users to understand what they can do with site? Then you might add a guided tour.

If the site is large and complex, you can employ two or more of these elements. A table of contents and an index can serve different users with varying needs. However, you must consider the potential user confusion caused by multiple options and the additional overhead required to design and maintain these navigation elements. As always, it’s a delicate balancing act.

If life on the high wire unnerves you be sure to build some usability testing into the navigation system design process. Only by learning from users can you design and reline an elegant navigation system that really works.