Don’t Make Users Guess: Lessons in Navigation from Everyday Life
Walk into a convention hall or airport and you’ll notice there’s never just one way to figure out where you’re going. You’ve got overhead signage, paper maps, staff to ask, and even memorable landmarks to guide you. The goal is simple: no matter who you are or how you process information, you can still find your way.
Applications should work the same way. When people log into a site or product, they need multiple pathways to accomplish their goals. If you only rely on one system of navigation, you risk leaving users frustrated—or worse, stuck.
Multiple Navigation Paths
Think of these as the digital equivalents of signage, maps, and wayfinding cues in the real world:
Global Navigation Menus: Like overhead signs, they provide an at-a-glance overview of major areas.
Search Bars: A direct “ask and go” path, just like walking up to an information desk.
Sitemaps and Footers: The paper map equivalents—helpful for those who want to see the full landscape.
Contextual Links and Shortcuts: Similar to landmarks or directional cues, guiding users along the way without breaking their flow.
Breadcrumbs: Your digital “you are here” marker, letting people retrace steps and orient themselves.
Why This Matters
Every user approaches navigation differently. Some scan menus, some search immediately, some scroll to the bottom looking for the footer. Offering redundancy in navigation isn’t clutter—it’s accessibility, usability, and respect for user choice.
When applications only provide one way in, you end up creating barriers. But when you give multiple, clear routes, users move with confidence and speed—just like travelers finding their gate on time.
Designing for Confidence
Good wayfinding, whether in a busy airport or a complex application, is about lowering cognitive load. The less effort people have to spend on “where do I go next?” the more they can focus on what they came to do whether that’s catching a flight or completing a task in your product.
Let’s Make Navigation Effortless
If you’re interested in learning how thoughtful UX design can help your users move through your products with confidence and ease, reach out to the Moser UX team. We specialize in creating intuitive, accessible experiences that make every path clear no matter where your users start.
Contact us to see how we can help streamline your digital experience.