Linear navigation is used for a website when you want the visitor to go from one step to another in a particular order. This is usually used within a website but seldom as a stand alone design.

The idea here is that the visitor follows the pages in a predefined order or sequence determined by you. This is particularly usefull for tutorials like this one. But, it also has many other uses.

Photo galleries lend themselves well to linear navigation as do shopping carts and check-out areas on commercial websites.

Website Navigation

Any time that you want your visitor to follow a bread crumb trail through your site you can use linear navigation. This way you can direct them step-by-step or page-by-page toward whatever goal you have in mind.

Tips for Improving Website Navigation

Straight line or sequential navigation links

Below is a graphic diagram of how a linear navigation scheme is linked. As you can see one page (i.e. link) follows another. Keep in mind that your visitor can opt-out at any time by using their browser buttons so keep each page brief and to the point.

fig. 1 - Linear "straight line" Navigation Diagram

Arrange your links so that they only permit movement in a straight line from one page to another. This is straight line (i.e. linear) navigation. You set up your links in such a way as to compel the visitor to start at one end and continue to a conclusion.

How to Organize a Website

Linear reciprocal navigation links

Sometimes you might want your visitor to view a thread of information in a linear fashion with the option of back clicking. This is where reciprocal linking works well. Below is a diagram that explains how this is done.

fig.2 - Linear "reciprocal" Navigation Diagram

Reciprocal navigation, just like linear navigation, follows a straight line through a website. But, it allows the visitor to move back and forth between a series of pages. Just setup your links with a start page an end page and links tying the pages together that lie between them. This will keep your visitor in one area of your website until they decide to opt out.

Building a Multipurpose Website

Basically this is how a browser works. The back and forward buttons in the toolbar perform this reciprocal function. You can move forward or back in your browser window but always in a straight line.

Website Navigation and Theme

Linear Navigation a tool for webmasters

This type of navigation is a tool to help webmasters present their message, not an end in itself. The content that you provide to your visitors is the key to designing a website that works. You can have the most innovative and original navigation model on the Web but, if your content is lacking and doesn't satisfy the people who visit your site it won't matter.

Website Content