I think navigation bars and dropdown menus can be problematic.
Sometimes, when confronted with a dropdown menu, many users' attention is drawn to the options in the dropdown menu and overlook the main link entirely. This may not be a huge problem…unless the main menu item is linked to a page you really don't want users to overlook.
Here's what I mean:
Can't see the video? Watch it here.
Video Notes:
In order to make sure users don't overlook important content on your site, duplicate the link that functions as your main menu item right in the dropdown menu as well.
It may seem a bit redundant to you as the site owner, but in the end, I think it ensures users don't accidentally miss what you really want them to see.
Can I just first off say thank you for your video notes? I so appreciate them because I can't always watch the video (sleeping kids, reading in bed while my husband is sleeping, etc) the first time I read a blog post. This gives me a good synopsis so I can bookmark the video for later.
On topic though…I think I need to revisit my nav bar now! Thanks, I never really thought about it that way!
You are so welcome and I'm so glad the Video Notes are helpful!
Thank you for this, Amy! This particular problem has always bothered me because I know my own eye is drawn to the drop-down part of the menu. Thank you for your suggested solution (which had never occurred to me) – I will definitely be implementing it!
Good timing. I'm working on my nav bars this week and this is a great point. Thanks.
And I see you've got the mobile site working. Will you do a prose mobile tutorial? I could sure use one please.
Yes, I *finally* got it to work. The short story is, my AdSense ads were breaking it so I had to make adjustments there.
I TOTALLY agree! I have found this to be an issue, too. I love the idea of giving it a different "title" in the dropdown. I have tried having it duplicated (on the navbar and in the dropdown), but I always felt like it looked dumb. I'll be fixing that promptly using a different title! Thanks for the great idea.
This post was very helpful. Looks like I need to put "work on Nav bar" on my blog to do list. I am so grateful for your posts and web site.
I agree. Amy! That is exactly what I do.
Hi. Would you mind sharing how to do this? I can't figure out how to use the same link to create a different page in the same drop down menu. Thanks in advance!
Couldn't agree more!
Thanks so much, Amy! I have been worried about that for a long time, and I love the solution that you have about the same link in the drop down just named differently.
Changed it on one of my drop downs and then will work on all of my drop downs later.
Hey – and I've been meaning to thank you for the Kindle advice at the 2:1 Conference and the chance to talk to you. I finally did it and got two books up on the Kindle without outsourcing it.
Woohoo! Was it as bad as you thought it would be?
No, not at all.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Very good point. I tried to solve that problem by spreading out my menu items and using two navigation bars. Shoulda read this first
This is brilliant.
I can still remember the first time I got caught and didn't realize the title of the drop down was active and I was going insane trying to find the information I wanted! I will never make that mistake again~but if the site I was using had used your tip it would have saved me a few gray hairs
Been there!
Thank you Amy. I have wondered about this myself. Are there times when you think it is more appropriate for a particular section on the Nav Bar to link to a page and then include the various link to the different sections on the page? There is a section I am presently working on and I am wondering if instead of having a lot of drop down items, it would be best to link to a page and link the various items from there.
As someone who likes to visit different blogs and websites, I find myself using different tools…sometimes I will notice the dropdown menu and use it to navigate and then sometimes I will see a link and just click on that. It all depends on how the site is set up. This is especially true if it is my first time on a site…I don't know what they have yet.
As always, helpful and encouraging! Thanks!
I've totally been thinking about this one so thanks for bringing it up. I wasn't sure if I was being to obsessive by trying to make it uber organized, but now that you've said something I'm definitely doing something about it. Thanks once again!
That's a really good idea Amy. I have actually had this problem before. I simply just bolded the main link, and left the dropdowns regular font. I guess it wouldn't really hurt to double up the link, especially if it is an important page you want your visitors to see. Thanks for sharing!
Another great point. It's better to send them there twice than not at all!
I also wanted to say that I love your videos. You have such a pleasant voice and make everything so simple and easy to understand. Thanks for such a great job…I have learned so much from you.
I have learned so much from you. I am still learning, but each and everyone of your tip has been fabulous.
)
Amy, I have awarded you the Addictive Blog Award. If your blog is not addictive, I don't know which one is
http://www.thelady8home.com/2012/07/12/awarded-the-addictive-blogger-award/
Yes Amy, this is a great tip. Not many bloggers realize that the main topic maybe is not clicked
Amy, this is such a helpful tip! I can't thank you enough for all of the advice you share. I would love a tutorial on Prose as well, especially about your preferred plug-ins and widgets for it. Being a newbie blogger, I have so much to learn, and am absolutely grateful for your tutorials and videos!
Hi Trisha–
I looked at your website–it really looks nice! I am also using Prose, and I wondered where you found your information about how to use/customize it.
My email is paula@doglegbipolarjourney.com
Thanks
Paula
Hi Paula, did you check the forums at StudioPress? That would be my suggestion. They have tutorials there.
Thanks for replying!
I have looked at them, but was confused. I just got my book on WP today, and am hoping it clears up some of my questions about making pages, coding, etc.
Thanks so much for all your tips, especially for pointing me to Genesis/Prose–I think I should get the hang soon…
Paula
Thanks, Amy – This is something I was concerned about, but didn't have a solution for. Now I have one.
Just making sure that having it redundant doesn't affect google ranking at all. And do we just create a new page w/ dupe content or what is the best way to do this. thanks!!!
Hi! First off, thanks for such great insights! I'm in the process of doing a total overhaul of my website & moving it to a WP site. Your site is a goldmine of useful information! I would like to add a tip that I read in a Wordtracker article. It said that while Google likes new content, it's not so keen on DUPLICATE content. To avoid this, I have the nav tab on the top set to link to the "overview" page URL. I did this by creating a "custom" menu & input the "overview" URL where indicated. This does two things: 1) allows me to have 2 links that go to the same page & 2) I only have to update the one page! Will save me from having outdated info on one page and current on the other. I hope that others find this useful as well. Thanks again!