Use the visitor’s vocabulary
Navigation is an orientation tool. “Services,” “Work” and “Contact” quickly communicate what sits behind a link. Expressive labels can work in section headings, but ask whether someone discovering your business would know where to click. A strong identity does not require turning navigation into a puzzle.
Organise around tasks
List the main tasks: discover an offer, evaluate your experience, understand the process and contact you. Place supporting information within relevant pages or the footer. The right number of menu items depends on the website; each item should have a distinct purpose. Two labels that seem to promise the same thing create an unnecessary decision.
Check the journey on a phone
Open the menu with one hand, visit a service and return to the starting point. Are labels readable? Does the menu cover an important action? Check keyboard use too: the button should be reachable, openable and closable without a mouse. A visually subtle menu still needs to communicate its state and maintain a logical order.
Test with a specific question
Ask someone outside the team: “Where would you find information about redesigning an existing website?” Observe their first choice without explaining the menu. If several people hesitate in the same place, revisit the label or grouping. This small exercise does not replace a full study, but reveals ambiguity that familiar team members may overlook.
Your checklist
- Labels understandable at a glance.
- A distinct task for each main item.
- Keyboard and mobile usability.
- An information-finding task with an outside participant.
