Utility Navigation

Utility navigation consists of secondary actions and tools that play a crucial role in enhancing the overall user experience on a website. These tools help visitors easily access key features to interact with your site efficiently. While they might not be the primary focus, they significantly impact visitor satisfaction, engagement, and usability when designed and placed correctly.

Utility navigation includes various tools like:

• Contact links
• Follow links
• Share links
• Language and country selectors
• Login/ signup options
• Print options
• Save options
• Subscribe options
• Font size adjustors
• Shopping cart
• Search functionality^[1]

These tools make it easier for users to manage their experience without disrupting their primary tasks.

When deciding where to place utility navigation on your website, consider how users traditionally interact with these tools. Typically, utility navigation is positioned around the global navigation area for ease of use and accessibility. You may place utilities like Login, Search, and My Account in the top-right corner for easy visibility since users often look there for these functions.

Informational sites can split utility tools into 4 locations:

• Sitewide tools go top-right
• Article-specific tools go top-center
• Subscribe tools are usually at the bottom
• Sharing tools can appear at the beginning or end of articles

The rule of thumb is to always ensure that their placement is intuitive and that users can quickly find what they need. Avoid hiding important utilities in hamburger menus or other click-to-display elements without user testing.

Using familiar label names alongside icons for utility tools is important because it helps users quickly find what they need. Standard labels like "Login," "Search," "Subscribe," and "Contact us" are easy to understand and recognize. For example, imagine a website that uses "Enter" instead of "Login." Users might not realize this is where they access their accounts. This can cause confusion and frustration, leading to a poor user experience.

By using standard labels, you ensure that users can easily navigate your site without misunderstanding. This improves usability, making it more likely that visitors will find and use the tools they need.

Follow icons let users connect with your brand's social media profiles, keeping them updated with your latest news and posts. Share icons allow users to share your content with their own social media networks, helping spread your content further. Since these icons often look similar, keeping them separate avoids confusion.

Here’s how to do it:

• Different sections: Place follow icons in the website header or footer, where users expect to find them. Share icons should be placed near the content, such as at the beginning or end of articles or product pages.
• Distinct labels: Clearly label the sections. Use headings like "Follow Us" for your social media profiles and "Share" for sharing options.
• Hide sharing options behind the share icon: Use a recognizable share icon (like an arrow) to reveal available sharing options. This helps users find the share feature quickly and easily without confusing it with follow options.

Make it easy for users to subscribe to your website to keep them engaged with your content. A clear and simple subscription process helps users sign up for newsletters, updates, or special offers without hassle.

Here's how to do it:

• Placement: Put the Subscribe button or link in a prominent location, like the header, footer, or near the main content. This makes it easy to find.
• Labeling: Use a clear label, like "Subscribe" or "Sign Up for Updates," so users know what to expect.
• Information: Make the subscription form short and straightforward. Ask only for essential information, like an email address.
• Confirmation: Provide a quick confirmation message after users subscribe, so they know it worked.

By making it easy to subscribe, you can build a loyal audience who regularly engages with your content, boosting your website’s effectiveness.

Use text instead of flags for the language selector tool that often appears at the top of your website. Flags can be confusing because many languages are spoken in multiple countries, and some countries have more than one official language. For example, Portuguese is spoken in both Portugal and Brazil, and Switzerland has multiple official languages.

Instead, use text labels for languages. Show these labels in the language they represent. For example, use "Español" for Spanish and "Suomi" for Finnish. This makes it clear and easy for users to find their preferred language.

Also, ensure you include any special characters or accents in the language names. This accuracy helps users recognize their language quickly and improves their experience on your site. By following these practices, you make your website more user-friendly and accessible to people from different language backgrounds.^[2]

To make your website user-friendly, place the login and signup options next to each other in the utility navigation, usually at the top of the page. Having these options side by side makes it easy for new users to sign up and for returning users to log in. Label them clearly as "Login" and "Signup" to avoid confusion.

Use distinct buttons or links with noticeable colors to draw attention. When clicked, these options can lead to a new screen dedicated to logging in or signing up. Ensure the forms on these screens are simple and quick to complete. This placement improves the overall user experience by making it convenient for users to access their accounts, encouraging more frequent visits and engagement.

Country or region selectors in utility navigation let visitors choose their market region, ensuring they see relevant content and products. This is different from language selection. For example, e-commerce sites like eBay in the U.S., U.K., and Australia all use English but offer different products.

Here are some best practices to consider:

• Placement: Place the country selector in a prominent location, like in the header or footer.
• Clear labels: Use clear labels like "Select Country" or "Choose Region."
• Flags: Unlike language selection, it's acceptable to use national flags for country selectors.
• Interactive maps: For large international sites, you can consider using a clickable world map.

This helps users find the right content for their region, improving their overall experience.