Navigation analysis

There are many methods you can use to determine if the navigation on your page is functioning properly. Here, we have presented some of the options. Feel free to use two or more methods to confirm that any issues are indeed problems – it’s unwise to change something that’s working. Using multiple methods will also reduce the risk of significant navigation issues slipping under the radar.

Keyword Analysis in Siteimprove

In the Analytics module in Siteimprove, you can find an overview of the search terms used on your website. This can provide insight into what users are searching for on your site. Consider whether these keywords indicate that users are having trouble finding what they are looking for through other means. It can also give you input on variations of terms – for example, whether a menu item should be labeled "external funding" or "funding."

In Siteimprove: Select Analytics and then "Internal Searches."

[Translate to English:] Interen søgetermer i Siteimprove

User paths in Siteimprove

In Siteimprove, you can use user paths to get an overview of how users navigate through your site.

Pay special attention to navigation patterns that surprise you. Consider whether these are natural navigations that you hadn't previously considered or if users might be misunderstanding things like menu names or similar elements.

User tests

User testing can also help reveal whether your navigation is functioning correctly. By including questions about finding specific information on the website, you'll quickly discover if users intuitively use various navigation elements, such as the left menu, shortcut fields, and so on.

Menu structure analysis

When defining a new menu structure, one method you can use is card sorting. This method involves creating a card for each topic on your website and asking a group of users to sort these topics into categories or menu items.

There are two types of card sorting: open and closed.

In an open card sort, you allow participants to define the overarching categories into which the topics are sorted. This approach has the advantage of reflecting the participants' logic in the categorization outcome. However, it can be challenging for participants, especially if you have many topics that are difficult to find commonalities for.

In a closed card sort, you define some overarching categories from the start, and participants sort the topics into these pre-defined categories. While this method does not reveal which categories would be logical for participants on their own, it is an effective way to test whether your categories make sense to the participants or if they understand something different from what you intended.

UX Expert's tips for effective menus

The more menu items there are, the harder it becomes for users to get an overview. However, if a few menu items cover a very large structure, there is a risk that the terms become so general that specific information users are looking for may be hidden under multiple different menu items. A common example in academia is whether information about PhD programs is located under research or education menu items. Use only as many menu items as necessary and conduct user tests to verify.
Avoid linking externally (outside the domain) from the left menu. The international web convention is that links in the left menu should lead users deeper into the site structure. This convention is broken if you suddenly direct them elsewhere.
Be cautious with generic names like "Resources," "Miscellaneous," and "Practical Information." Users cannot guess what lies under these menu items and will only click on them as a last resort.
Avoid having multiple menu items with similar names, such as "Purchasing" and "Finance" or "Practical Information" and "Employee FAQ." If you have menu items that resemble each other, it will be unclear to users where to look for specific information.
Do not start multiple menu items with the same word, such as "For Employees" and "For Students," or "Master’s Program in Physics" and "Master’s Program in Chemistry." This makes scanning more difficult. Instead, write "Physics, Master’s Program in" and "Chemistry, Master’s Program in" if possible.
Only remove the left menu after careful consideration and user testing. Users who frequently visit the site, like yourself, may navigate without the left menu, but it is much more challenging for users who visit the site infrequently.