What is Breadcrumbs
In the context of website design, breadcrumbs are a type of secondary navigation element that functions like a roadmap, helping users understand their location within the website's hierarchy and navigate back to previous sections effortlessly.
Here's a breakdown of how breadcrumbs work:
How they appear
Breadcrumbs typically appear as a horizontal line near the top of a webpage, often below the main navigation bar.
They consist of a trail of clickable links, each representing a higher level in the website's structure.
The last link in the trail is the current page the user is viewing.
Visual indicators like arrows or greater-than signs ( > ) often separate the links for clarity.
Benefits of using breadcrumbs
- Improved user experience: Breadcrumbs help users feel oriented and in control of their navigation, reducing feelings of being lost within the website.
- Easier backtracking: Users can easily navigate back to previous sections or the homepage with a single click, eliminating the need to use the "back" button repeatedly.
- Enhanced SEO: Some search engines consider breadcrumbs as a positive ranking factor, as they contribute to clear website structure and user-friendliness.
Examples of breadcrumbs
- On an e-commerce website: Home > Clothing > Shirts > T-shirts
- On a blog: Home > Category > Subcategory > Blog post
- On a corporate website: Home > About Us > Team > John Smith (Employee profile)
Important points to remember
- Breadcrumbs work best on websites with a clear hierarchical structure.
- They should be consistent in their appearance and functionality across all website pages.
- Using descriptive and concise link labels improves usability.
- Consider your target audience and their navigation preferences when implementing breadcrumbs.