Structure and navigation
Once you have selected your content, it must be sorted and grouped so that it can be put into a menu structure that gives your users an overview of the content and helps them navigate around all subpages. On a typical website built in Sitecore, the menu structure is reflected in the left navigation (or in the mobile navigation on the mobile version of the website).
Build a structure that makes sense for your user
Always take your user as a starting point when structuring the content and building your menu structure. It is important that the grouping of the content makes sense for the user. It may be tempting to let the structure of your website follow, for example, an internal organization of work tasks, but it is far from certain that such a structure makes sense for external users.
Limit the number of menu items
Divide the content into an appropriate number of elements and possibly sub-items so that you don't end up with an unmanageable number of menu items - we normally recommend max. 8-10 menu items per level in the structure.
It is important that the menu items are named so that the user can easily read what content is under each item. Think 'clear and easy to understand' rather than 'smart'. Avoid internal concepts and technical terms.
Characteristics of a good menu structure:
- Based on the user's framework of understanding
- Max 8-10 menu items
- The titles of the menu items make intuitive sense to outsiders.
Left navigation
As mentioned, the menu structure on a website built in Sitecore is usually reflected in the left navigation. This means that all menu items appear from the menu on the left side of the website, and via it the user can navigate between the sub-pages. Therefore, it is important that you do NOT hide pages in the menu. As a rule, all pages must be visible in the left navigation, otherwise the user cannot click through to the pages.
If you still choose to hide menu items in the left menu, or if you have a website without a left menu, it is important that you create an alternative navigation, so that the user has access to navigate between the content on your page. (Such a structure is only recommended for experienced website builders.)
Let the left navigation reflect the structure of the page
A good left-hand navigation shows the page the users are on and the associated sub-pages – and thus reflects the page's structure.
It is technically possible in Sitecore to create left menu items that link across sections or to other websites. Don't take that opportunity! If you need to link to a subpage in another section of your page or to an external website, put the link in the content field.
Characteristics of good navigation
- Do not hide pages in the menu
- The left menu may ONLY be used to link internally in a section - not to external pages or pages in other sections.
TIP: Card sorting as a method for structuring content
A good method for building a menu structure is card sorting. Write down the different content elements that your page will contain on some pieces of paper and group them in a way that makes sense to your user.
If you have the opportunity, it is a good idea to let one or more representatives from your user group participate in a card sorting.
TIP: Use web statistics to optimize the structure of your website
If you already have a website, it may be a good idea to look at the visitor statistics to get input on how you can optimize the structure. Pages that are visited a lot can be advantageously moved further up the structure, so that it becomes easier for users to find the content they are looking for. Correspondingly, pages with few visits can perhaps be placed further down in the structure - or possibly completely deleted.
Piwik Pro is installed on all websites in the Sitecore solution. Contact webteam@dtu.dk for access.