My website have about a dozen navigation tabs, and each one represents a “Section” (e.g. Finance)
When you click on a Section, you are taken to a “landing page” which contains “Sub-Sections”.
And each “Sub-Section” box, contains links to related articles.
Here is a screen-shot of how things will look…
How many Sub-Sections can I add to a given Section and still make things useable and user-friendly?
(BTW, from a coding standpoint, I could add 100 Sub-Section very easily, so this is totally about UI and UX…)
Assuming there is relevant Content available, I am thinking that between 5-10 Sub-Sections would be doable. (Although anything more than 2-3 would fall “below the fold”…)
Hard to say without seeing the site live. But from the screenshot, it looks like the 4 sub-headings are reasonable. It’s the type of layout that requires a diligent reader. You’re expecting them to browse a list of links and choose the one they want. I typically would not give a web visitor that much credit and expect them to have the patience to do that.
It would be interesting to do a heat map and see if people are clicking on them. I’m guessing people are clicking on the featured story with a picture.
I’m not sure there is a set number of sub-sections that would be overkill however you should keep a couple things in mind. You want to keep users no more than 4-5 levels away from the home page. Always make it easy for them to get back to where they started.
Also, if you have so many sub-sections that the page looks cluttered, then that is a good indication you have too many. You could keep your eye on your bounce rate for the page to see if users landing there are leaving a lot. If they are, you could try minimizing the amount of sub-sections on the page.
Here are some common web navigation mistakes that might help you,
You’ve got your terms mixed up. You are talking about the “# of Links” in one of my Sub-Sections, but I asked “How many Sub-Sections (e.g. Economy, Markets, Investing) are too many?”
Well, I have my Home Page and Main Navigation (Level 1), then I have the new “Sub-Section” page we are discussing here (Level 2), and clicking on an Article Link in a given Sub-Section will take you to the end “Article” page (Level 3), so I think that meets your standards.
Always make it easy for them to get back to where they started.
Yep.
Also, if you have so many sub-sections that the page looks cluttered, then that is a good indication you have too many.
That’s why I’m asking here what people think would do that?
Since my Sub-Sections are stacked vertically, thus allowing for “Above the Fold” and “Below the Fold” Sub-Section, as well as scrolling, I am thinking 5-8 Sub-Sections works.
You could keep your eye on your bounce rate for the page to see if users landing there are leaving a lot. If they are, you could try minimizing the amount of sub-sections on the page.
Good idea for after I go live.
Here are some common web navigation mistakes that might help you,
