Have you ever been inside the grocery store searching for a product that you don’t normally buy? Or maybe it’s a new grocery store and you have no idea where anything is? Most assuredly - if you are female - you asked a clerk for directions. And hopefully this clerk knew how to help you if you found a clerk at all. This experience is much like a poorly navigated web site. Either there are clear and easy to read signs that point you where you want to go or there is someone or something to turn to for help. If not, you more than likely will not return, if you stayed to make a purchase at all.

Web sites are dependent upon “Navigation” and “Content” to direct your visitors where they want to go, and even more importantly, where YOU want them to go. Think of your site navigation as one of only two full time customer service reps you have for your online shop. Your other employee would be “Content” which is also your sales department and is already pretty busy.

Your navigation should never leave a customer wandering the isles looking for something to buy. It should be ready to help them find it and take that money before they can change their mind. It should also provide clear instructions as to where to go for help should they lose their way.

How is this accomplished?
1. Navigation bars on every page that display all choices available to your customer. Doing so will never leave your customer stranded with nowhere to go and it gives you a chance on every page to get them to the checkout isle.
2. A search component for those who want to get there fast.
3. A site map that clearly states “You are here!” And hopefully “This is what you are looking for!”

Make your buttons and links as fancy or as plain as you want, but make them. And keep in mind that you can’t always be there to provide the answers. Your employee “Navigation” is going to have to work hard alongside “Content” to help you while you’re away.

------------------
Marrianne Williams
Stu Reilly Design
StuReillyDesign.com

quote:

---

Originally posted by Marr:
Most assuredly - if you are female - you asked a clerk for directions. And hopefully this clerk knew how to help you if you found a clerk at all.

---

* Hurumphhh * if you are female? hehe Go Marr.
Ill bet the virtual clerk was male and knew it all anyway

quote:

---

Originally posted by Spooky:
* Hurumphhh * if you are female? hehe Go Marr.
Ill bet the virtual clerk was male and knew it all anyway

---

Yes...I'm sure that in your mind he did.

One small addition - make sure you offer a text nav for those surfing without images.

------------------
Gil Harvey
"Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder"
Old Hippy Productions, Inc.
On-Line Credit Card Accounts

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gil:
Great stuff Marr...

One small addition - make sure you offer a text nav for those surfing without images.

---

Yes Yes Yes!!! Alt tag! Alt tags! Alt Tags!
Thanks Gil! Good point!

------------------
Marrianne Williams
Stu Reilly Design
StuReillyDesign.com