Consistent navigation

Ensuring that all navigation mechanism repeated across related pages occurs in the same order.

Navigation patterns repeated across multiple screens must be presented in the same relative order each time they appear.

Keep navigational menus in the same location.

Present the navigational menus in the same order on all pages.

Represent all the standard elements like logo, search functionality, skip links etc. in the same location on all the pages.

Using a standard template will help achieve the success criteria of 3.2.3 consistent navigation.

The most basic requirement for SC 3.2.3: Consistent Navigation (Level AA) is ensuring that repeated components occur in the same order on each page of a site to help users become comfortable that they will be able to predict where they can find things on each page. It is however a best practice on this criterion to ensure that the navigational elements are identical.

Here are some best practices for implementing consistent navigation on a website:

Use the same navigation structure across all pages. This means having the same navigation menu in the same location on every page of your website. This will make it easy for users to find their way around your site, no matter where they are. Use clear and concise labels for your navigation links. Avoid using jargon or acronyms that your users may not understand. Make your navigation links easy to see and click on. Use a large font size and contrasting colors to make your links stand out. Use visual cues to indicate which navigation link is currently active. This can be done by changing the color of the link, adding a border, or using an underline. Use breadcrumbs to help users track their location on your website. Breadcrumbs are a trail of links that show users how they got to the current page. Make your navigation responsive. This means that your navigation should look good and function well on all devices, including desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.