User navigation is one of the most important elements on a website. If there is no system for users to easily browse your web pages, it will be extremely difficult for them to get around. Web userability is a critical component of all all websites, which includes using breadcrumbs in the web design.
In this article, we will explore different types of breadcrumbs and how they help visitors navigate websites.
What are Breadcrumbs?
Breadcrumbs are a type of navigation element used in web design to help users in their journey through the website. They help users to know where they are on the website, thus they act as tool for better wayfinding.
However, breadcrumbs do not replace the main navigation menu, instead they act as a secondary level of navigation that increases website usability. This is particularly useful if a website has a lot of pages.
Types of Breadcrumbs
There are three types of breadcrumbs for navigation.
Location based. Show the visitors where they are according to a website hierarchy. They’re usually applied to websites with complex navigation schemes consisting of multiple levels.
Attribute-based. They show the visitors the trail of attributes of the page they are on.
Path-based. These show the visitors the trail of steps they took to arrive on the page they are on. Because this type is less effective compared to previous two, it is not recommended to apply.
Why Use Breadcrumbs in Web Design?
Among the many benefits of using breadcrumbs in web design, the following are most popular:
- Fewer clicks needed. Website visitors can jump from one level of the hierarchy to any previous step without needing to go back to the homepage. This means it takes fewer clicks to reach the page they want.
- Lower bounce rate. Breadcrumbs are great support for first-time visitors or people that have no everyday experience of dealing with complex websites, so the more confident they feel the slimmer are the chances of them bouncing the page.
- Increased findability. Complex websites like many government sites with lots of pages require intuitive navigation. Breadcrumbs give users another touchpoint to the content and help to understand the structure of the website easier.
- Effective use of screen space. When crafted well, breadcrumbs only utilizes a narrow horizontal line with plain-looking text elements. As such, they don’t need much space on a webpage.
About the Author
Hazel is the Founder & SEO Director at Envisager Studio, a premier website design agency specializing in WordPress website design, development and internet marketing. In her spare time, she writes about search engine optimization, website design, and internet marketing.
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