Tips for Naming Navigation

Table of Contents
  • Use the language that your audience already uses and understands.
    • Conducting research or reviewing feedback from your main audiences go a long way to inform this step.
  • Keep links concise and actionable. Aim for 1-2 key words for main navigation links. The footer best accommodates links that are 1-3 key words. (e.g. “Contact” is short and clear with 1 key word; “Rules & Statutes” has 2 key words.)
    • Claims Submission And Contract Management (OLS) → Log in to OLS
  • Remove agency names, abbreviations, and other extra words, especially where character limits are recommended.
    • Information & Resources → Resources
    • Remember: the user is already on your site, possibly already within an agency’s subnavigation. They will already receive wayfinding cues from the header and breadcrumb navigation without looking to redundant information in page titles and links.
      • About the Iowa Department for X → About
  • Use ampersands to save space, especially in main navigation links.
    • Publications and Data → Publications & Data