The Rule of 7 (+/-2)
Do you use the "Rule of 7" when designing your site navigation? Do you think of it as a hard and fast rule? Interesting article from Webreview:
http://www.webreview.com/2002/01_14/strategists/index01.shtml
I always tried to keep that in mind without forcing things. Separating different types of options (like content sections vs. site tools vs. administrative details) always helps. I always tried to limit the number to 7 +/-2 *within* a navigation grouping and I still think that's a good idea in most cases. I mean, I think that Rule of 7 should apply to individual pieces of navigation, not necessarily to a whole page. And it seems to me that this is what the author is saying - keep things in manageable chunks.
Anyway, there are several good navigation design methods described at the bottom of the article so I thought you all might be interested.
mairving posted this at 15:50 — 18th January 2002.
They have: 2,256 posts
Joined: Feb 2001
Interesting article. Site navigation is always quite tricky. It really depends on the site. I have one site with about 2,500 items for sale on it. Organization is the key since people don't know how to use the search button. I have 5 links at the top for contact, about, mailing list, account, home. The sidebar has 19 different links. Well I am redoing the site and topmenu has 5-6 links, the sidebar has 9 and the footer has 5. It seemed to look right. Now there is proof.
Mark Irving
I have a mind like a steel trap; it is rusty and illegal in 47 states
The Webmistress posted this at 16:22 — 18th January 2002.
She has: 5,586 posts
Joined: Feb 2001
I think this statement is very significant "First, Miller was studying the limitations of short-term memory. He concluded that there is a limit to the amount of items the immediate memory can retain: (7±2). He wasn't studying how many items humans can perceive, which he admits can be thousands."
As long as the links are clearly and logically marked then it doesn't really matter how many things you link to from one place.
Julia - if life was meant to be easy Michael Angelo would have painted the floor....
Shotaker posted this at 18:57 — 18th January 2002.
They have: 48 posts
Joined: Apr 2001
I also agree that this is a very interesting article. Definitely a good rule to keep in mind when building websites.
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