There are several advantages of using vertical navigation menus over traditional horizontal menus.
1. They stand out and grab users' attention with their distinctive layout.
2. They offer better content organization and make it easier for users to navigate through your site.
3. Vertical menus can boost your search engine optimization efforts by providing a clear information hierarchy.
If you want to incorporate a vertical navigation menu into your website, Strikingly can help. This website builder offers easy-to-use drag-and-drop features that allow you to create stunning designs without any coding skills required.
To ensure that your vertical menu is successful, there are a few key elements that you should keep in mind. These include:
- choosing the right structure for your menu
- incorporating clear and concise labels
- using a consistent layout throughout your site, and
- ensuring your menu is responsive on all devices.
In this article, we'll explore the benefits of using vertical navigation menus in more detail and provide tips on designing an effective one for your website using Strikingly. We'll also share some best practices for creating successful menus and showcase some notable brands taking advantage of this trend.
What is vertical navigation?
A vertical navigation menu is the menu you often see running down a website's left or right side. It contains links to the important sections and pages of your website.
In casual terms, it's the vertical list of options that lets you get around the website. You know, the menu with links like "Home," "About," "Products," "Blog," "Contact," and so on. It's arranged top to bottom instead of the horizontal menu across the top that most old-school websites use.
Vertical menus are popular now because they work well on mobile phones and tablets. Small devices have a limited screen width, so a vertical menu takes up less space. It also fits nicely when you scroll through pages. The menu stays in the same spot, even as you swipe up and down through content.
Why is website navigation important?
Website navigation is essential in ensuring that users can find what they're looking for quickly and easily on your site. It's often the first point of contact between users and your content or products/services, which means it needs to be intuitive and user-friendly.
A well-designed navigation menu should provide users with clear pathways to different areas of your site while also showcasing important information such as contact details or social media links. It should also be consistent throughout your site so users always know where they are and how to get back to where they started.
Why do vertical navigation menus stand out?
Vertical navigation menus stand out due to their unique layout that runs vertically down the side of the screen rather than horizontally across the top. This design choice catches users' attention and offers several advantages over traditional horizontal menus.
For example, vertical menus can accommodate more links without taking up too much space on the screen. They also provide a clear hierarchy of information that makes it easier for users to navigate through your site and find what they're looking for quickly.
Can Strikingly help me with vertical navigation menus?
Strikingly is an excellent tool for creating a vertical navigation menu because it offers a variety of customization options that allow you to create stunning designs without any coding skills required. Its drag-and-drop features make adding and rearranging elements on your site, including your menu, easy.
You can choose from several pre-designed templates or create your own from scratch using Strikingly's intuitive interface. Plus, its mobile-friendly designs ensure that your menu looks great on all devices.
What are the key elements of a vertical navigation menu?
To ensure that your vertical menu is successful, there are a few key elements in mind when designing it.
1. Choose the right structure for your menu based on the content you want to showcase.
Choosing the right structure for your content is one of the most critical aspects of designing a vertical navigation menu. You want to ensure that your menu is organized logically and intuitively, so users can easily find what they're looking for. Consider breaking down your content into categories or subcategories, and use clear labels to indicate what each section contains.
2. Incorporate clear and concise labels for each link in your menu so users know exactly what they're clicking on.
Speaking of labels, you must use clear and concise wording when creating your vertical navigation menu. Avoid using jargon or overly technical terms that might confuse users. Instead, opt for simple language that accurately describes the content within each section.
3. Use a consistent layout throughout your site so users always know where they are and how to get back to where they started.
Another key element of successful vertical navigation menus is consistency in design. Ensure that each section of your menu has the same look and feel, with consistent font sizes, colors, and spacing between sections. This will help users understand how the different sections relate to one another.
4. Make sure your menu is responsive on all devices so users can access it regardless of whether they're using a desktop computer or mobile device.
It's crucial that you design your vertical navigation menu with mobile devices in mind. More people than ever are accessing websites on their phones or tablets, so you need to make sure that your menu looks good on smaller and larger screens. Use responsive design techniques like fluid layouts and media queries to ensure your site looks great on any device.
By following these tips for designing a vertical navigation menu, you can create an intuitive and user-friendly navigation system that will help your website stand out from the crowd. And with the advantages of using vertical navigation menus, including improved user experience and engagement, increased chances of conversions, better organization of content, and improved search engine optimization, it's worth considering this design trend for your website.
What are the benefits of vertical navigation menus?
Vertical navigation menus have become increasingly popular in recent years and for a good reason. Here are some advantages of using vertical navigation menus on your website:
1. Improved user experience and engagement
One of the main benefits of using a vertical navigation menu is that it can significantly improve the user experience and increase engagement on your site. This is because users can easily navigate to different sections of your site without having to scroll pages or click through multiple links. With a well-designed vertical menu, users can quickly find what they are looking for, leading to increased time spent on your site and a lower bounce rate.
2. Increased chances of conversions
Another advantage of using a vertical navigation menu is that it can increase the chances of conversions on your site. By making it easy for users to find what they are looking for, you can guide them toward taking action, whether that be making a purchase or filling out a contact form. This can lead to higher conversion rates and, ultimately, more revenue for your business.
3. Better organization of content
Using a vertical navigation menu also allows for better organization of content on your site. Users can quickly find all the information they need in one place by grouping related pages together in the menu. This makes it easier for users to navigate your site and helps with SEO by creating clear categories and hierarchies.
4. Enhanced search engine optimization
Implementing a well-designed vertical navigation menu can also enhance search engine optimization on your site. Organizing your content into clear categories and using descriptive labels in the menu makes it easier for search engines to crawl and index your site. This can lead to higher rankings in search results and increased visibility online.
There are many advantages to using a vertical navigation menu on your website, including improved user experience and engagement, increased chances of conversions, better organization of content, and enhanced search engine optimization.
How do I Implement a vertical navigation menu with Strikingly?
If you're sold on the idea of using vertical navigation menus for your website, you might be wondering how to create one. Luckily, Strikingly makes it easy to implement this trend with their user-friendly platform.
1. Easy-to-use drag and drop features
One of the biggest advantages of using Strikingly is their intuitive drag and drop interface. You don't need any coding knowledge to create a professional-looking vertical navigation menu - simply choose from their pre-designed templates and customize them to your liking.
2. Variety of customization options
Strikingly also offers a variety of customization options for your vertical navigation menu, including font styles, colors, and background images. This means you can tailor your menu to match your brand's aesthetic and make it stand out from the competition.
3. Mobile-friendly designs
In today's mobile-first world, it's essential that your website is optimized for smaller screens. Strikingly's templates are all mobile-responsive, meaning they'll look great on any device - including smartphones and tablets.
4. Built-in SEO tools
Strikingly also offers built-in SEO tools to help improve your website's visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs). This includes meta tags, descriptions, and URLs optimized for search engines like Google.
Implementing a vertical navigation menu with Strikingly is a breeze thanks to its user-friendly platform and a variety of customization options. Plus, their built-in SEO tools mean you can improve your website's ranking while staying on-trend with this popular design trend.
What are some best practices for vertical navigation menus?
When it comes to designing a website, the navigation menu is one of the most crucial elements. A vertical navigation menu offers several advantages over traditional horizontal menus. Here are some best practices to keep in mind when using vertical navigation menus.
1. Keeping your menu simple
One of the biggest advantages of using a vertical navigation menu is that it allows for a more straightforward and streamlined design. To make the most out of this style, it's essential to keep your menu simple and easy to navigate. Avoid adding too many links or submenus, as this can overwhelm users and make it difficult for them to find what they're looking for.
2. Reducing clutter and distractions
Another benefit of using a vertical navigation menu is that it helps reduce clutter and distractions on your website. Keeping your menu organized and concise can create a more focused user experience that encourages visitors to engage with your content.
3. Ensuring accessibility for all users
Accessibility should always be a top priority when designing a website, which also applies to your navigation menu. Ensure that your vertical navigation is easy for all users, including those with disabilities or who are using assistive technology.
4. Regularly testing and optimizing your menu
Finally, it's essential to regularly test and optimize your vertical navigation menu to ensure it works effectively. Use analytics tools to track user behavior on your site, such as click-through rates on different links or how long users spend on each page.
By following these best practices, you can create an effective and user-friendly vertical navigation menu that enhances the overall experience of your website visitors.
What are the common design trends in vertical menus?
One common design trend in vertical navigation menus is using icons or images alongside text labels. This helps to make the menu more visually appealing and easier to navigate.
Another trend is the use of drop-down menus within the vertical navigation menu itself. This allows for even more organization and categorization of content.
While many websites use traditional vertical navigation menus, there are also some innovative ways to incorporate this style into your website design. For example, you could create a sliding or expanding menu when a user clicks a button or icon.
Using a vertical navigation menu can greatly improve user experience and engagement on your website while also enhancing search engine optimization efforts. With Strikingly's easy-to-use drag-and-drop features and built-in SEO tools, implementing a successful vertical navigation menu has never been easier.
Let’s Wrap Up!
Vertical navigation menus have become a popular trend in web design and for a good reason. They offer a range of benefits that can improve user experience, increase conversions, and enhance SEO. By using Strikingly's easy-to-use tools, creating a vertical menu has never been easier.
Vertical navigation menus stand out because they are visually appealing and provide an intuitive way for users to navigate your website. They also allow you to organize your content in a logical manner, making it easier for users to find what they're looking for.
If you want to improve your website's user experience and increase conversions, then using a vertical navigation menu is worth considering. With Strikingly's tools at your disposal, experimenting with this trend has never been easier.
As technology evolves, we can expect website navigation design trends to change. However, vertical navigation menus will likely continue to be popular due to their many benefits and ease of use.
Strikingly offers a variety of customization options that make it easy to create a unique and professional-looking website with a vertical navigation menu. Their drag-and-drop features make it easy to add or remove elements as needed, while their mobile-friendly designs ensure that your website looks great on any device.
Incorporating a vertical navigation menu into your website can greatly improve user experience and increase conversions. With Strikingly's help, creating one has never been easier or more accessible.
Why not try out this trend today and sign up with us?
