What are the common site structure and navigation mistakes to avoid?

1 Unclear or inconsistent labels

One of the most common site structure and navigation mistakes is using unclear or inconsistent labels for your menus, links, headings, and breadcrumbs. Users and search engines need to understand what each label means and how it relates to the rest of the site. For example, avoid using vague terms like "services", "resources", or "products" that could mean different things to different audiences. Instead, use specific and descriptive labels that match the content and the intent of each page. Also, avoid changing the labels or the order of the items in your navigation across different pages, as this can confuse and frustrate users.

2 Deep or complex hierarchy

Another common site structure and navigation mistake is creating a deep or complex hierarchy that makes it hard for users and search engines to find and access your content. A deep hierarchy means that users have to click through many levels of subpages before reaching the desired page. A complex hierarchy means that users have to navigate through many branches or categories that are not clearly defined or organized. Both scenarios can increase the loading time, the bounce rate, and the abandonment rate of your site. To avoid this, try to follow the "three-click rule", which states that users should be able to reach any page on your site within three clicks from the homepage. Also, try to use a flat and simple hierarchy that groups your pages into logical and relevant categories.

3 Missing or broken links

A third common site structure and navigation mistake is having missing or broken links on your site. Missing links are links that lead to non-existent pages or resources, such as 404 errors, images that do not load, or files that are not available. Broken links are links that lead to incorrect or outdated pages or resources, such as redirects, typos, or outdated information. Both types of links can harm the user experience and the SEO performance of your site, as they can cause frustration, distrust, and loss of traffic. To avoid this, make sure to check and update your links regularly, using tools like Google Search Console, Screaming Frog, or Broken Link Checker.

4 No search or filter options

A fourth common site structure and navigation mistake is not providing search or filter options on your site. Search and filter options are features that allow users to find and access specific content or information on your site, based on their keywords, preferences, or criteria. They are especially useful for sites that have large amounts of content or products, such as blogs, e-commerce, or directories. Without search or filter options, users may have to scroll through endless pages or menus to find what they are looking for, which can increase the frustration and the bounce rate of your site. To avoid this, make sure to add a search box and filter options on your site, using tools like Google Custom Search, Algolia, or FacetWP.

5 No mobile-friendly design

A fifth common site structure and navigation mistake is not having a mobile-friendly design for your site. A mobile-friendly design is a design that adapts to the screen size, resolution, and orientation of different devices, such as smartphones, tablets, or laptops. It ensures that users can view and interact with your content and navigation easily and comfortably on any device. A mobile-friendly design is also important for SEO, as Google uses mobile-first indexing, which means that it prioritizes the mobile version of your site for ranking and crawling. To avoid this, make sure to use a responsive or adaptive design for your site, using tools like Bootstrap, Foundation, or Media Queries.

6 No clear call to action

A sixth common site structure and navigation mistake is not having a clear call to action on your site. A call to action is a button, link, or text that prompts users to take a specific action on your site, such as signing up, buying, downloading, or contacting. A clear call to action is essential for converting users into customers, subscribers, or leads, as well as for measuring the effectiveness of your site. Without a clear call to action, users may not know what to do next on your site, which can result in missed opportunities and lower conversions. To avoid this, make sure to add a clear call to action on every page of your site, using tools like OptinMonster, Thrive Leads, or Elementor.