Help people find what they need, fast
UX tips for public sector and not-for-profit teams to improve website structure and navigation so users don’t get lost or give up.
Categories
Start with a clear site hierarchy
A good structure helps people predict where to find things.
Group content logically
Bundle similar pages (e.g. Services, about, support).
Limit top-level items
5–7 core sections are ideal for clarity.
Use descriptive labels
Replace vague terms like “resources” with specifics.
Check consistency across pages
Menus should stay the same site-wide.
Use real user tasks to guide navigation
Run a simple tree test
Label navigation in user language
Use sticky or persistent navigation on mobile
Add a clear and visible search bar
Create landing pages for key journeys
Use breadcrumb navigation
Reduce the number of clicks to key actions
Test your navigation with real users
Start with a clear site hierarchy
A good structure helps people predict where to find things.
Group content logically
Bundle similar pages (e.g. Services, about, support).
Limit top-level items
5–7 core sections are ideal for clarity.
Use descriptive labels
Replace vague terms like “resources” with specifics.
Check consistency across pages
Menus should stay the same site-wide.
Use real user tasks to guide navigation
Run a simple tree test
Label navigation in user language
Use sticky or persistent navigation on mobile
Add a clear and visible search bar
Create landing pages for key journeys
Use breadcrumb navigation
Reduce the number of clicks to key actions
Test your navigation with real users
Start with a clear site hierarchy
A good structure helps people predict where to find things.
Group content logically
Bundle similar pages (e.g. Services, about, support).
Limit top-level items
5–7 core sections are ideal for clarity.
Use descriptive labels
Replace vague terms like “resources” with specifics.
Check consistency across pages
Menus should stay the same site-wide.
Use real user tasks to guide navigation
Run a simple tree test
Label navigation in user language
Use sticky or persistent navigation on mobile
Add a clear and visible search bar
Create landing pages for key journeys
Use breadcrumb navigation
Reduce the number of clicks to key actions
Test your navigation with real users