Menu-Design Checklist: 17 UX Guidelines

Make Navigation Visible

• Hamburger menus are not suitable for desktop websites and apps as they hide the navigation categories.
• Out of sight means out of mind, so menus should not be hidden when there is enough space to display them.
• Navigation serves roles beyond wayfinding, providing context cues about your resources or content that users may miss if the navigation is hidden.

Keep Navigation Consistent

• Consistency in navigation design helps users navigate your website or app more easily.
• Use the same menu structure and layout across all pages to avoid confusion.

Use Clear and Concise Labels

• Menu labels should be clear, concise, and easily understood by users.
• Avoid ambiguity or overly technical language in menu labels.

Prioritize Navigation Items

• Arrange navigation items based on their importance or relevance to the user.
• Important items should be given priority placement in the menu.

Limit the Number of Menu Items

• Too many menu items can overwhelm users and make navigation more difficult.
• Keep the number of menu items to a manageable level for easier navigation.

Provide Visual Cues

• Use visual cues such as icons or colors to aid users in navigating the menu.
• Visual cues can make it easier for users to find and identify menu items.

Use Hierarchical Menus

• Organize menu items into hierarchical categories for easier navigation.
• Nested menus can help users find specific items within broader categories.

Include Search Functionality

• Incorporate a search function within the menu for users to quickly find specific items.
• Search functionality can enhance the user experience by providing an alternative navigation method.

Ensure Responsiveness

• Make sure menus are responsive and adapt to different screen sizes and devices.
• Responsive menus provide a consistent user experience across various platforms.

Test Menu Usability

• Conduct usability testing to identify any issues or difficulties users may encounter with the menu.
• User feedback can help improve the menu design and navigation experience.

Provide Feedback

• Give users feedback when they interact with menu items, such as highlighting or changing item colors.
• Feedback helps users understand their actions and enhances the overall user experience.

Consider Accessibility

• Ensure that menus are accessible to users with disabilities, such as providing keyboard navigation options.
• Accessibility features make the menu usable for a wider range of users.

Optimize Loading Times

• Optimize menu loading times to ensure swift navigation for users.
• Slow-loading menus can frustrate users and impact the overall user experience.

Use Dropdown Menus Sparingly

• Use dropdown menus sparingly and only when necessary, as they can be challenging for users to navigate.
• Dropdown menus should be intuitive and easy to use to avoid user confusion.

Highlight Active Menu Items

• Highlight or indicate active menu items to show users their current location within the menu structure.
• Active item highlighting helps users keep track of their navigation path.

Include a Home Button

• Include a home button in the menu for users to easily return to the homepage.
• The home button provides a quick and familiar way for users to navigate back to the main page.

Monitor User Behavior

• Monitor user behavior and interactions with menus to identify areas for improvement.
• Analytics data can help you understand how users navigate your menu and make informed design decisions.