Best Practices for Designing Pagination

When there are numerous pages, a long pagination panel can be overwhelming. To avoid a cluttered look, smart truncation is an effective solution. This involves simplifying the pagination panel by selectively displaying the most crucial page links while hiding less important ones.

A common approach is to always show the first page, the last page, and the page the user is currently on. Intermediate pages may be hidden to reduce clutter. Another method is to display the first 3 pages, the last 3 pages, and the current page, along with 3 additional page links on either side of the current page. To access pages hidden in this range, users can interact with a three-dot icon, typically by clicking or hovering over it, revealing the concealed pages.

In pagination, the usability of page links can be greatly improved by focusing on seemingly minor details, like ensuring a sufficiently large clickable area. This area should be highlighted upon hovering, guiding users to interact more efficiently.

The clickable target for each page link must be adequately sized, allowing users to quickly and effortlessly click the link without struggling to precisely position their cursor. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) suggest a minimum target size of 44×44 pixels.^[1]

Selecting colors that stand out against the background for pagination buttons ensures that users can easily see and use the pagination feature. A good rule of thumb is to aim for a contrast ratio of 4.5:1 between the text or icons (foreground) and their background. This ratio is a standard measure to ensure sufficient contrast for readability.^[2]

High contrast makes it easier for users to distinguish the elements, particularly for those with visual challenges like color blindness or reduced vision. By achieving this balance, you ensure that your website is not only visually appealing and aligned with your brand identity but also accessible and user-friendly for a broad audience.

In pagination design, it's essential to clearly mark the current page a user is on. This prevents confusion and helps users navigate more efficiently. One way to do this is by using a unique background color for the current page indicator. This color should stand out from the rest of the pagination elements, drawing immediate attention.

This visual cue quickly directs users to their current location within the sequence of pages, making it easier for them to understand their position in the content and how to navigate to other pages.

For effective website navigation, it's crucial to provide users with intuitive ways to flip through pages. A well-designed navigation panel offers comfortable and efficient browsing. While having a feature for manual page input can be beneficial, the primary elements for page navigation should be the pagination buttons. These buttons are essential because users often navigate without knowing the exact page number they need.

Keep in mind the design of these buttons should be clear and easily recognizable. The most commonly used designs for these controls are single chevrons like (>) for next and (<) for previous or explicitly labeled "Next" and "Previous" buttons. These familiar symbols and terms quickly convey their function to users, making the browsing experience more straightforward and user-friendly.

Double rightward (>>) and leftward (<<) chevrons in pagination serve as efficient shortcuts, allowing users to quickly navigate to the first or last page of a website. By incorporating these double-chevron controls, user effort is significantly reduced, as they enable instant jumps to either end of the catalog without sequentially clicking through each page.^[3]

This functionality not only saves time but also enhances the overall user experience, especially in scenarios where users need to access the beginning or end of a long list of products or information.

The page navigation panel, while not the main focus of a webpage, should be clearly visible and easy to locate. The text, numbers, and buttons within the panel must be sufficiently large for readability and easy clicking. This size should also be proportionate to other text on the page, ensuring consistency in design.

For mobile users, consider the size of clickable areas. These should be large enough to comfortably tap with a finger, with a recommended minimum size of 44 × 44px. This size consideration enhances usability, particularly on smaller screens, by making it easier for users to interact with the navigation elements without accidental clicks or difficulty in selecting the desired page.

To increase conversions using pagination, focus on its psychological benefits. Pagination gives users a clear sense of beginning and end, providing a sense of control as highlighted by Professor David Kieras.^[1] This structure, with limited results per page, aids in decision-making, as users feel less overwhelmed compared to infinite scrolling. 

With pagination, users encounter a finite set of options, which psychologically encourages decision-making and purchasing. Unlike infinite scrolling, which often leads to aimless browsing, pagination's defined limits help users focus and make choices more easily.

Therefore, to increase conversions, design your website's pagination to showcase a clear beginning and end to the list of products or content. Ensure that each page presents a manageable number of items, making the browsing experience less overwhelming and more focused.