Sidebar Navigation Redesign

Sidebar Navigation Redesign: Enhancing User Experience and Usability

This project details the process of redesigning the navigation menu to improve user-friendliness and efficiency. The study explores the challenges faced by users, the goals set for the redesign, and the methods employed to achieve these objectives. By examining the research, design, and implementation processes, the case study provides valuable insights into the power of effective navigation design and its impact on user experience.

Role

Lead Product Designer

Responsibilities

Conducting Interviews
Low-medium-high fidelity prototyping
Accounting for accessibility
Iterating on designs

Tools

Figma
Miro

Research and Analysis

To better understand the current pain points with the navigation sidebar, we employed a comprehensive research and analysis strategy that included the following methods:

User Research

We conducted user research through interviews to gather insights on user experiences and challenges with the navigation sidebar. This helped us identify the difficulties users faced in finding specific pages due to the excessive number of options and unclear labeling.

User Experience Analysis

We analyzed the navigation sidebar's usability on various devices, particularly on smaller screens like mobile devices. We found that the sidebar took up too much screen real estate, making it difficult for users to access other page elements.

Website Analytics

We examined our website's analytics data to identify the most frequently accessed pages and those that users struggled to find. We did not have the information we needed to help us prioritize the redesign efforts and focus on the most critical areas. This was an area we decided to improve upon during this project and for the future.

Accessibility Evaluation

We assessed the navigation sidebar's accessibility for users with disabilities, ensuring that the redesigned version would be inclusive and user-friendly for all users.

By employing these research and analysis methods, we gained a thorough understanding of the target users needs and preferences, as well as the challenges they faced with the existing navigation sidebar. This information served as the foundation for our redesign efforts, guiding us in creating a more user-friendly and efficient navigation system.

Design Solutions

Based on our research and analysis, we developed a comprehensive design process to address the challenges with the navigation sidebar. The following solutions were proposed for the redesign:

Simplify the Navigation

We decided to organize the options under collapsable headers to reduce the number of options initially seen in the sidebar by categorizing them into logical groups. This approach aimed to improve the user experience by guiding users through a more structured and organized navigation system.

Responsive Design

We made the navigation sidebar responsive by collapsing it on smaller screens, providing users with more room to view page content. We also ensured that users could still access the navigation menu by using a hamburger icon that would open and close the menu.

Clearer Labels

We completed a card sort and made sure to use clear and concise labels for each menu item, ensuring that they accurately reflected the content on the pages they linked to. This approach aimed to improve the user experience by making it easier for users to understand the purpose of each menu item and find the information they need.

Navigation Menu Order

After conducting usability studies, the decision was made to order the navigation menu in the sequence that the tools should be used to complete the registration process. This decision was reinforced by customer service training, which helped users remember and locate items more effectively.

By implementing these design solutions, we aimed to create a more user-friendly and efficient navigation sidebar that would cater to the needs of our target audience and improve the overall user experience.

Implementation

Prototype & Test

After creating design prototypes, we tested them with users on both desktop and mobile devices to ensure the redesigned navigation sidebar worked well on both platforms.

Feedback & Revise

Based on the feedback received, we made additional changes to the designs, such as adjusting font sizes and color contrast for better readability. Additionally, we implemented a feature that allowed the website to remember user preferences, such as whether the user prefers to have everything expanded or to keep it collapsed, opening only the section they were viewing and working on.

Results

After implementing the redesigned navigation sidebar, we observed significant improvements in user experience and efficiency. The following results were observed:

Reduced user confusion: Users reported that the simplified navigation structure made it easier for them to find the information they needed, leading to a more satisfying experience.

Improved mobile usability: With the responsive design, users on smaller screens found it easier to access the navigation menu and view page content, resulting in a more seamless experience across devices.

Increased user engagement: The clearer labels for menu items led to a better understanding of the content on the linked pages, encouraging users to explore more areas of the website.

Positive feedback from users: User feedback indicated that the redesigned navigation sidebar was more user-friendly and efficient, validating the effectiveness of the design solutions.

Conclusion

The redesign of the navigation sidebar proved to be a successful endeavor, resulting in a more user-friendly and efficient navigation system. By simplifying the navigation, implementing a responsive design, and using clearer labels, we were able to significantly improve the user experience and achieve our project goals. This case study demonstrates the value of user-centered design and the importance of understanding the target audience's needs and preferences to create a successful and impactful solution.

Reflections

Consider Internal Users

Sometimes results go beyond the users and can either help or make more difficult tasks for internal users. This should be taken into account when gathering stakeholder and users at the start of the project.

Internal User Buy-In

When working on redesign projects account for the time it sometimes takes to work with internal users about the changes. Sometimes internal users are set with how something functions and leaving time in your design plan for buy-in is important.

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