Many do not reflect at all, having in a number(line) graphic buttons or doing(making) lists of links and naming the creation - « my navigating system ». However, in our opinion, careful study of navigating system of a site, ò is necessary. To. The user wants with the maximal speed and convenience to reach a required material. These are one of the most important requirements whom the user puts before any content a site (the first, for certain, it is speed of loading).

Moving on a site is carried out by means of graphic and text links. Speaking about movement on a site, we mean design and realization of navigating system which usually settles down above, below or on one of lateral faces of web - page (sometimes there are all three ways of an arrangement of navigation on one page).

Let's talk about advantages and lacks of both (graphic and text) navigating systems, and also their preferable site.

Types of links

1. Text links - the most simple and convenient form of navigation. Usually it is 1-3 words which describe where the given link will result. For example: a map of a site, communication(connection) with us, links, the guest book, etc.

Advantages

High speed of loading. Readership in all browsers. Easy scalability and editing. Help in ranging searches from search engines.

Lacks

Noncomunity (can be incorrectly interpreted the user). Impossibility try the exact size (different browsers differently  those or other sizes of fonts).

Ideas

It is possible to add the additional information (in a status bar, for example) to text hyperlinks means Java Script (OnMouseOver command), however it is necessary to mean, that the some people "serfers" not so like, when the status bar does not show real links. Besides, the majority of modern browsers allow to disconnect a status bar.

2. Graphic links - ðàçîáúåì them on two categories: graphic maps (image maps) and buttons.

2.1. Graphic maps - the separate graphic element divided(shared) on some sites which, in turn, are hyperlinks.

Advantages

Maps can look effectively enough. They are convenient for installation of one graphic element instead of several. Serve as rather strong means of the communications with the user.

Lacks

The biggest lack that at disconnect by the user of loading schedules in the browser, the map is useless! Speed of loading schedules plays an important role. troblerefreshable (most likely it is necessary to alter all map). Users sometimes should « play a mousy », trying to find the link. For search machines a picture a little that means...

Ideas

Correctly made maps can force the user  at call on a site. However, you CAN not rely on maps of the image, as on unique means of transportation on a site. On some sites I have fallen a victim to graphic maps, trying to find the link, and more there have not returned... Also, to expect a map in the size in 100ÊÁ - suicide. It obviously will not help attraction of visitors on a site.

2.2. Graphic buttons

Advantages

Draw attention of the user (not always certainly). There can be more descriptive (visually), rather than simple text links. Can give visual sensation to the user where he is at present (that is the button for the current page slightly differs from other buttons). Are more floppy, than graphic maps. Faster loading, than at a map.

Lacks

Time of loading. Often, buttons less are evident, than a plain text. must to do(make) the new button for any additional sections of a site. It is badly applicable(applied) for the big sites. Without ALT attributs, unloaded buttons are not suitable for navigation. Are not so useful in achievement of high position in searches of search sites.

Ideas

The graphic buttons containing only the text, should, probably to be replaced with text links, less download traffic. Remember, that if you are going to to use OnMouseOver with your buttons it doubles speed of loading. If your site requires 20 buttons for navigation, - about graphic buttons can forget, instead of it use text links. Use àòòðèáóòà ALT for the description of your buttons should be obligatory!

About a site

Link1 | Link2 | Link3 | Link4 | Link5

Link2

Link3

Link4

Link5 | Link4 | Link3 | Link2 | Link1

As far as navigation on a site as such is effective depends on a site of the navigating panel.

If the panel above, it gives advantage that at once speaks the visitor what sections of a site are the basic. Is as well lack - at accommodation closely to top of page, the user can not notice the link and scroll page downwards, trying to find the navigating panel in others, habitual to him places.

If the panel below is conveniently as reading of page usually comes to an end there. However, this area remains invisible while page will not scroll up to the end downwards. Good news to fans(amateurs) of navigation from below: the majority of people is known about such system of navigation later with some hours of surfing on the Internet and try to find such panel in the bottom of page.

If the panel of navigation is located on left or on the right party(side) a web of page, it practically instantly is visible to the user. However, not always the lateral panel of navigation is visible entirely, and the visitor should scroll page upwards and downwards, trying to find the necessary link.

While positioning of the navigating panel is left on personal taste ñàéòîñòðîèòåëÿ (the combination of all three methods, it is the probable, most effective), behind such important point as sequence, each designer should watch(keep up). Have the navigating panel on the same place on ALL pages. Do not confuse the visitor, moving the panel in other place.

Ideas

Do not play disappearance / occurrence of buttons (links). The some people like a web of the master to clean(remove) the link of the current page from the navigating panel. It not only is difficult for executing (from the point of view a web of the master), but also also confuses visitors when they any more do not see the link to a former place. Or give the visitor the seen help, about that, where exactly he is at present. Buttons with sound effects also are undesirable, it irritates. All links should have identical sequence on all pages of a site.

Do not surprise the user "suddenly" with the new navigating panel. The visitor who presses the button and suddenly finds absolutely new navigating panel on the opened page, will be very much confusing by that where he all the same is. He can think, that has got on other site or, that is unexpected for him(it) the new section has been entered. Why he has not been warned about it on the previous page?

« Navigating satisfaction » visitor from a site directly depends on speed of achievement of the information necessary for him, therefore:

Try to be descriptive: put as much as possible information in your navigating system. You remember the mysterious circuit of buttons of Microsoft in their programs? All of us have spent couple of days to learn(find out), that the button with empty page it « the New Document » and that two pages, one above another, this "Copying". It - NOT intuitive navigation. Add the text to graphic buttons.

Use text links with open sense, be descriptive so as far as it allows a place.

Do not force the user to pull a mousy excessively: on a normal site all pages should be achievable three cliques. It is ideal, when many internal pages are accessible already from the first page of a site. Interestingly as? Use of dropping out menus for the organization of long lists from links or the main categories of your site is possible. Do not force the user to hunt for the information by repeated êëèêîâ under links.

Do not rely on search on a site. Also, as search sites not always can justify hopes of the user looking for something certain(determined), as also feature of search on a site - to give out not always expected results. Often, users leave pages with results of search, and not íàéäÿ the answer to the search to the search engine of a site. It can upset them very strongly.

Last remark on navigation

Listen to your visitors. They - valuable sources of the information that they search and that they do not find on your site. If the visitor speaks, that he cannot find element X, try as far as it is a simple problem(task) for you. If you will not find element X on your site, remember this omission for the future additions. Finally, the satisfaction of the visitor from use by a site will be, as it is good and the navigating system on a site is correctly organized