Navigation considerations for web pages

Previous material

References to "previous" sections should probably have links to the previous material, and be very specific. Also be sure readers don't have a way to "get around" what you're claiming came previously.

Keep the size of the page small if possible

Because long, scrolling documents are hard to navigate, that is, it's difficult to find the same place inside one months later, they should be avoided. In general, long documents make the hypertextual abilities of HTML less effective. Although not engraved anywhere, a good length is three "monitor" fulls -- although monitors differ considerably.

Provide navigation cues

Instead of relying on the "Back" button built into most browsers, you should provide explicit cues and links for navigation, at the minimum answering the user questions

• Where am I?
• Where else can I go?
• How do I get back to the beginning?

Use consistent navigation options

If you begin by using one navigation scheme, stick to it wherever possible. If you begin using an "up/down," "left/right" navigation scheme, stick to it. You might consider a navigation bar at the top and the bottom of pages.