Navigation has become a hackneyed word in most web design articles, but only a few have a clear idea on how to utilize this web design element to help create effective websites. By definition, web design is the act of planning and creating a website to be seen by users in web browsers. Users, who will explore your website, should be able to navigate around your site to find more content, products or contact information. A user may want to navigate back to the home page and he should be able to do so, without any ado.

The Role of Navigation in Web Design:
· Orient users around the website.
First time users on your website will want to know what your site is all about. One way to find out is the types of navigation button you place around your website. A website selling products would indicate a navigation button for products and other buttons related to selling products.

Design your website in a way that on the landing page, new users will get a gist of what your site is about and show them where to start exploring your site.

· Give direction for users to follow.
Good website navigation gives users directions to follow. Users do not want to stay too long on a web page, figuring out where to go next to what to do. Take charge and direct them where you want them to go. Easy navigation lets them know their present location and then shows them where to go next. Users will feel safe within you site if they know these things and are assured when they know which button to click to go back to the homepage.

· Provide guidance for users in finding content in the website.
Users who venture into your website will have a purpose and some expectations in mind. If your site fails to meet them, then you will lose customers and readers. They are definitely in your site to read good content or to browse for products and eventually buy something.

Let a good navigation guide them to the content they are looking for or to the products they are eyeing. Make sure that when customers are in the product’s web page, the next obvious step is to buy said product. Keep the next step obvious and guide them towards through easy web page navigation. You can either place the buy button directly below the item; or place a check box beside multiple items and place the buy button at the bottom of the page for one-click purchase of multiple items.

With good navigation web design and placement, your site will become a safe place to explore. It will also provide good experience to customers once they get what they wanted out of the site through convenient navigation buttons. This way, your site will attract users and keep them until your site’s purpose has been accomplished.