WordPress is considered to be one of the most renowned content management systems available out there. The reasons are very obvious. It is customizable, easy to use, and has a massive developer community that can create themes and plugins to improve the functionality of WordPress.

A poorly crafted menu can make things difficult for the users to look for the content they are searching for. It leads to maximum bounce rates. In this article, we are going to discuss the steps to develop a user-friendly WordPress and enhance user navigation.

What is a good navigation menu?

Before we dive into the particulars of creating a WordPress navigation menu, it is essential to know what a good navigation menu looks like. A good navigation menu is easy to use. In short, the users must be able to look for the content with ease.

The menu must be organized so that the users find it sensible, and it needs to be consistent across every page of the site so that the users can know where to find it. The number of mobile users is rising, and thus, it is essential to make sure that the navigation menu is well-optimized for smaller screens. Apart from all these, the menu must be visually appealing so that it looks good and fits with the overall design of the website.

How to create a user-friendly navigation menu?

The steps to create a user-friendly navigation menu to enhance the user-friendliness are stated below:

Keep things simple:

Follow the “less is more” policy when it comes to the navigation menu. You need to put your best efforts into making sure that you keep your menu as simple as you can. Only include the most crucial sections or pages of your website.

Make use of clear labels:

You need to ensure that the menu labels you are using are concise and clear. It helps the users to know exactly what they will discover when they tap on the menu item.

Organize your menu:

You need to be logical when you think of organizing your menu. Relate the menu with the related sections or pages on your WordPress website templates. This will make it easy for the users to look for the content they are searching for.

Make use of sub-menus correctly:

Indeed, the sub-menus can be useful to organize content. But they can also make the menu complex and harder to use. Try to make use of the sub-menus sparingly and when only it is necessary. Evaluate a structure and make sure it offers a flawless user experience.

Work on mobile optimization:

With every passing day, the number of mobile device users is increasing. So, you need to make sure that the navigation menu is correctly optimized for the smaller screens. Ensure that your menu is super easy to use on both mobile devices and desktops.

Make use of visual cues:

Make use of visual cues such as arrows or icons. It helps the users to understand the structure of the menu and discover the content they are looking for with ease. Include color variations, indentation, or subtle design elements to make a clear hierarchy within the navigation structure. It helps the users identify the needful navigation level quickly.

Leverage the search function:

Integrate a search bar within the navigation menu to offer an extra tool for the users to discover particular information. A well-implemented search function can improve the user experience and cater to the users preferring a direct approach to navigation.

Test the menu:

It is very important to test the menu to ensure that it is working correctly and is easy to use. Also, ask your colleagues or friends to test the menu, offer feedback, and make the changes according to their suggestions.

Review and update regularly:

As your website grows and continues to evolve, you need to update and review it periodically to make sure that the navigation menu remains effective and relevant. Consider new content, modifications in the structure of the website, and the evolving user requirements to maintain a user-friendly navigation experience.

Conclusion:

A user-friendly navigation menu is very crucial for any WordPress website templates. By following all the above-mentioned tips, one can easily create a user-friendly navigation menu and enhance the user experience. With a well-designed navigation menu, you can help the users find the content they are searching for. This will bring them back to your website.