Good website navigation is the difference between visitors staying to explore your site or giving up and heading elsewhere. In 2025, expectations around how websites should work are higher than ever. Whether you are building your first website or refreshing an existing one, getting navigation right is still one of the most important parts of your online presence.
Navigation needs to be simple, intuitive, and user-focused. People expect to find what they are looking for without hunting around. Confusing menus, cluttered layouts, or too many options will frustrate users and damage your chances of converting visits into enquiries or sales. As AI-driven search experiences continue to grow, clear website structures are becoming even more important. Search engines and AI models prioritise sites where the content is logically linked and easy to follow.
There are some basics that never change. Keep menus clear and uncluttered. Group related pages together sensibly. Use familiar words like “Contact”, “About”, and “Services” rather than clever but confusing alternatives. Always make sure your navigation works properly on mobile devices, not just desktops. Mobile-first design is no longer optional in 2025; it is expected.
Breadcrumbs, sticky menus, and in-page anchor links can all help users move through longer content, but these should never replace a solid main menu. It is also vital to think about how your navigation supports your SEO strategy. Internal links between important pages strengthen your site’s structure and help both users and search engines discover your key services naturally. I often work with businesses across Bewdley, Kidderminster, Stourport and the wider West Midlands to audit and improve site navigation as part of larger website design projects and content updates.
One useful resource that remains relevant is the Nielsen Norman Group’s navigation guidelines, which offer research-backed advice on what works and why. They focus on usability, clarity, and keeping the user experience front and centre, which are principles I apply on every site I build or improve.
Ultimately, great navigation is invisible. It helps users get where they want to go without making them think. If you want help reviewing or improving your site’s structure — or building a website that works properly for users and AI search — get in touch. I offer practical, jargon-free advice that helps your site perform better from day one.
Struggling with confusing website navigation or planning a site update? Good navigation does not just help users — it supports your SEO, improves your conversion rates and makes your business look more professional. If you want help reviewing your website’s structure, or are planning a redesign built around user experience, get in touch. I offer straightforward, practical advice for businesses across Bewdley, Kidderminster, Stourport and the West Midlands.
