When someone clicks on your website URL, the very first thing they note about your website is its content. The users try to know what the website is all about. In this context, they start looking for navigation options. I spent my entire last week in studying the navigation system of portfolio websites. And I come across several websites that offer interesting and intriguing experiences, but boast of some crucial navigation errors.
Well, let me emphasize once again that the website I studied are some of the world’s most aesthetic and appealing websites. However, the creativity should not kill usability of the website. If you are able to ensure that your online portfolio doesn’t boasts of the navigational flaws listed below, the website is bound to get stunning experience to its visitors.
So many clicks?
Wow! Mind-blowing. These are the words uttered from my mouth immediately when I landed on the home-page of the website. However, I was not first aware what are these things I’m looking at are representing. Within a minute or two, I realized that I’m at the portfolio page of the website. I could see nice usage of white space on that page.
The triage shaped linings were drawn all over the page and whenever I hovered over it, it used to show a specific project from their kitty. You need to make so many clicks to navigate through the entire portfolio, which is hated by most of the people (Kids may like it!). Though the design is modest and clean, it needs a slight improvement in its navigation system. Do remember: Fewer clicks, more sales!
Flash Animation
I clicked on a URL of the website and I was first greeted by a flash animation loading window. Before it gets completely loaded and I could see what it covers, I closed the window and visited the same website again in the evening, when I was ready to be patient. I’m sure this might have also happened to you many times.
I found that the flash animation was created to help the users understand the navigation system of the website. However, this wasn’t useful for me at all. To add more pain, I saw that there is a wheel and you need to drag the button continuously, either clockwise or counter clockwise, to view the entire portfolio. These are truly severe flaws of the navigation system.
Conventional Menu
Have you ever thought that why more than 70% of the websites have placed their menu at top of the page, that too in a horizontal manner. Actually, there’s a science behind it. Our eyes first see the things that are exactly in front of it. This position of eyes is convenient for them.
If you have ever browsed a website with main menu at its footer, you would have surely realized how irritating it was to scroll down to the bottom of the page and go back and forth. As a part of my study, I came across many websites where designers have tried to be playful and haven’t offer conventional menu on portfolio page.
Don’t Clone Menu!
The site I saw cloned menu was actually of a construction company. At first glance, I was very much impressed with the usability, navigation system, breadcrumbs, color combination, use of white space and font styles. There were main 3 tabs in the menu, placed in bold at the top of the page and right beneath the logo of the company.
But, suddenly I noticed that same menu tabs are repeated on the same page and in another style. I would like to strictly emphasize that why you need to duplicate menu, when users can easily follow the original menu. In fact, this duplication may confuse users understanding your website. Thus, don’t repeat menu.
No user Control
The portfolio was crafted nicely. But I ticked off something very negative on the navigation part. All the projects titles were listed in vertical format. When you click on any title, the respective project gallery opens in the same page. Now, if you want to close it, you must click on another title; as there was no close button offered.
This kind of consequences is also observed in landing page design. Some landing page design don’t offer user controls such as close, skip and minimize button. Such things can only irritate users instead of impressing them!
Non-sequential Access
Portfolio design should allow users to access any project from the list in any manner. It should not be the case that to reach project ‘X’, I have to compulsory scroll through projects ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’. Offering a slide view of all the projects seems aesthetic, but at the same time you must provide the users with all the project titles (clickable!) in a vertical manner. Check out if your portfolio website offers non-sequential access or not.
Always put yourself in user’s shoes and scrutinize the navigation, design and usability of the website. Web Designer in India is leading the market by their 100% user-friendly designs and innovative design ideas.
About the Author:
Kristinakathy is a reputed web designer in India. She likes to write about, how an India web design company can help with the designing requirements effectively. She specializes in CSS, JavaScript, HTML5 and other web technologies.
Note From Ian:
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{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow, I knew the first site you mentioned sucked when you said the words “flash animation”. A flash animation is rarely a good idea. Also, why would you clone a menu. Did they just clone the design, or also the links? It seems very odd to me.
Menno Bos recently posted..vergelijk parkeren schiphol
This article was a real eye-opener and I have to admit, I’m not going to look at websites the same way again. I loved “Fewer clicks, more sales” because that is a great way of looking at less is more and keeping it as user friendly as possible. It’s important to not overload the user.
Ella Turgeon recently posted..Drawing the 9-Headed Figure Prep
When it comes to portfolio websites one a couple of things need to be clear right from the start:
- Who are you and what you are offering.
- Examples of your work and credentials.
- Price.
Christian recently posted..Iron Products for Home
Hi Christian,
You are right. To show our work examples is better way before we are offering our work.
Yes, those are the best examples of annoying things that could happen in a website. I hate that too many clicks. And yes, that animations that would suddenly flash. They’re like pop-ups. Makes me close the website instead.
I think that having a website is very risky, I mean there are many benefits having one. but finding the best portfolio is really difficult, but thanks for sharing this great article.
Kate Brown Wilson recently posted..herbal treatment for adhd
A lot of people overlook user experience on their website, the same goes for sites that look appealing it doesn’t necessarily mean that its optimized for better user experience!
boca raton web design recently posted..The Top Ten Reasons Your Business Needs a Website
Very interesting article. I think Yvette used the right word. It is ‘annoying’ to encounter such as these and it does put readers and viewers off.
Elena Anne recently posted..Herbs for Relaxation and Sleep
Twitter: Elena__Anne
Though the whole idea of “fewer clicks, more sales” sounds a little unheard of, it is completely practical and a very wise choice. You don’t want your visitors to go through extra hard work; you’ll send them running away a mile per second. Also, I think it is extremely important that every blogger or site owner needs to keep in mind is that the site should be clean, crisp and easy to understand. A gaudy cramped up site looks spammy, which brings nothing but bad news for your blog or internet business.
Very interesting article. I mean there are many benefits having one. but finding the best portfolio is really difficult, but thanks for sharing this great article.
Being an web designer i found the post as a knowledgeable resource for me thanks to share public hoping more in future. Kudos!!!!!!!
Hi Fletcher,
Thanks a lot for such positive response.
kristinakathy recently posted..Christine Appleby
Thank for great post. Well, let me emphasize once again, first thing they note about your website is its content. The users try to know what the website is all about. In this context, they start looking for navigation options. So your post is very usefull for users.
Santosh recently posted..Cruises around the world- why sounds best
Hello Santosh,
I agree with you that the content is something that the user notices first when he/she visits the site. It is the content which holds the user on the site based on whether the content is useful to him or not.
Thank you for your feedback.
Hi Kristinakathy
Excellent write up. I am going to refer back to this article when I redesign my portfolio site in the coming weeks. Thank you for share it Article helps out a lot!
Clarkmartin recently posted..CEE LO Sexual Assault Accuser Had Long History with Singer
Hi Clarkmartin,
Thank you very much for the appreciation. Happy to see people getting benefited from the information I have shared. I would be glad if I can be of any further assistance to you in redesigning your portfolio.