Website redesign
Website navigation redesign
When visitors cannot find what they need, they rarely blame the menu; they simply leave or phone. Navigation problems grow quietly as pages are added over years, until the menu reflects the organisation's history rather than how customers think.
We redesign website navigation using simple research methods, customers' own words and careful handling of every page that moves.
Illustrative diagram
Proposed menu
- Services
- Service A
- Service B
- Service C
- Who we help
- Sector 1
- Sector 2
- Resources
- Guides
- FAQs
- About and contact
- Team
- Contact
How navigation drifts
Most menus start sensibly. Then a new service is added under whatever heading seemed closest, a department asks for its own section, and an old page is kept just in case. Years later, the menu mirrors internal structure and history, and visitors have to guess.
A navigation redesign steps back and asks how visitors group and describe what you offer, then rebuilds the structure around that.
Simple research methods
| Method | What it involves | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Card sorting | People group your pages or topics in a way that makes sense to them | Natural groupings and labels |
| Tree testing | People find items using only a text version of the proposed menu | Whether the structure works before design |
| Search term review | Look at what visitors type into site search | Words customers use and things they cannot find |
| Enquiry review | Read questions customers ask by email and phone | Gaps in navigation and content |
These methods can be run with a handful of participants and simple tools; they do not require a large budget.
Labels in customers' words
Internal terms such as product codes, department names or industry jargon often end up in menus. Customers do not use them. Labels drawn from search terms and enquiries, and checked in a tree test, are understood immediately.
Fewer, clearer top-level items help too. Each additional item makes the others harder to scan.
How a navigation redesign runs
Inventory
List every page and how it is currently reached.
Output: Content inventory
Research
Card sort and review of search terms and enquiries.
Output: Proposed groupings and labels
Test
Tree test the proposed structure with real tasks.
Output: Validated structure
Implement
Build menus, move pages, update internal links and add redirects.
Output: New navigation live
Moving pages safely
Before moving
- Record each page's current address
- Decide its new location and address
- Identify pages linking to it internally
After moving
- Redirect old addresses to new ones
- Update internal links to point directly
- Check menus on phones and with keyboard
Site search as a safety net
Even good navigation cannot anticipate every visitor. A site search that understands common terms and spelling variants catches people who think differently from the menu. Search logs also feed future navigation decisions: repeated searches for the same thing suggest it deserves a clearer place in the menu.
On small sites, search may be unnecessary; on larger ones, it complements navigation rather than replacing it.
Section pages that help people choose
A top-level menu item often leads to a section page listing what sits beneath it. Good section pages briefly explain each option so visitors can choose confidently, rather than presenting a bare list of links. They also give search engines a clear overview of each part of the site.
Measuring the change
Before changing the menu, record a simple baseline: a few tasks people struggle with, common site searches and frequent questions. After launch, repeat the tasks and watch whether those searches and questions fall.
Questions about website navigation redesign
What is card sorting?
A method where people group topics or pages in ways that make sense to them, revealing natural groupings and labels.
What is tree testing?
People try to find items using only a text outline of the menu, which tests the structure before any design work.
How many people are needed for testing?
A small number of participants who resemble your customers often reveals the main problems.
Will moving pages affect search visibility?
It can if old addresses break. Redirects and updated internal links reduce that risk.
Can navigation be redesigned without a full redesign?
Yes. Navigation can be restructured on the existing design if the rest of the site works.
How many top-level menu items should we have?
As few as clearly cover what visitors need, often around five to seven.
Should every page appear in the menu?
No. Menus show main routes; other pages are reached through section pages, links and search.
Do you redesign footer navigation too?
Yes. The footer is a useful place for practical links such as contact, delivery and policies.
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