Things Schools Should Actually Teach | How to Navigate a Website | A Simple Guide for Users
The Internet is full of incredible content, but one surprising challenge many people face is simply finding what they’re looking for on a website. If you’ve ever struggled to locate a blog, shop, or specific page on a site, you’re not alone. Many people, even those who use the Internet daily don’t fully understand how to navigate website menus efficiently. Not every website has a Site Index like ours does to help you discover its pages.
So, we created this guide help you find your way through this mass of menus and information. This guide will walk you through the basics of website navigation so you can quickly and confidently find the information you need.
Understanding Website Navigation
Most websites have a navigation menu, a set of links that help you move between different pages. These menus can appear in various forms:
- At the top of the page (called a “header menu” or “main menu”)
- On the side of the page (a “sidebar menu”)
- At the bottom of the page (a “footer menu”)
- Hidden behind a button with three lines (?), called a “hamburger menu” (common on mobile devices)
Common Website Menu Items
While every website is unique, most have similar core sections. I’ll use the links to our Hunter Storm Official Site to demonstrate:
- Home: Takes you back to the main page.
- About: Information about the person, company, or purpose of the site.
- Blog: A section with articles or updates.
- Shop: If the website sells products or services.
- Contact: Ways to reach the site owner, such as email or social media.
- FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions to help users find answers.
How to Navigate a Website to Find What You Need
Look at the Top of the Page: The main menu is usually found here.
Check for a Hamburger Menu (?) on Mobile: If you don’t see links, tap the three-line icon to reveal the menu.
Scroll to the Bottom: Many sites repeat their key links in the footer.
Use the Search Bar: If available, type in keywords to find what you need.
Click the Logo: On most sites, clicking the logo at the top will take you back to the homepage.
Learn more about how to search in my article, How to Use a Search Engine Properly.
Troubleshooting | When You Can’t Find a Page
- Check for a “More” or “Dropdown” Menu: Some websites hide extra pages under a single menu item.
- Use a Search Engine or Browser: Go to any search engine (e.g., Duck Duck Go, Firefox, Google, Internet Explorer, Mozilla, Safari, etc.). Try searching for the site name + the page you need (e.g., “Hunter Storm blog site:example.com”).
- Ask for Help: If someone tells you a link is on their website, they can usually provide the exact URL.
Get Good at Finding What You’re Looking for Online
Website navigation is a skill that improves with practice. The more you explore different websites, the more familiar you’ll become with common layouts. Next time you visit a site, take a few seconds to locate the menu and understand how it’s structured. It will save you frustration in the long run!
Do you have any tips or questions about website navigation? Share them on our social media!
Discover More from Hunter Storm
Speaking of frustrating, is it taking too long for you to find what you want online? Satiate your need for speed with my helpful articles:
- How Algorithmic Mislabeling Hides Helpful Content and What We Can Do About It (Part 1 | Yandex)
- How Algorithmic Mislabeling Hides Helpful Content and What We Can Do About It (Part 2 | Google)
- How to Get the Internet Speed You Pay For.
- The Internet Isn’t Just Social Media | Understanding Websites vs. Platforms
- In the next article, we’ll cover How to Tell the Difference Between a Website, an App, and a platform, where you are on the Internet (online), and more tips to help you avoid common pitfalls.
- How to Tell if a Website is Legitimate Before Entering Your Info
- Navigating Unconventional Career Paths
- Social Media Platforms Are Just Fancy Websites
- Unlock the secrets of the digital world with our engaging and educational article series | Things Schools Should Actually Teach | The Ultimate Internet Survival Guide.
- Speaking of common pitfalls, relationships are one of the biggest pitfalls we can encounter. Here’s our take on making a space at the campfire for all our loved ones: Unity in Variety | Common Ground.
Dive into our lively collection of articles designed to boost your digital savvy and cybersecurity know-how. From demystifying the differences between websites and platforms to mastering online privacy, our series offers practical insights to help you navigate the internet like a pro. Stay tuned and take control of your digital life!