Creating Custom Menus for Easy Navigation

A well-organized menu is crucial to creating a positive user experience on your website. Custom menus help visitors find content quickly and effortlessly, encouraging them to stay longer and explore more pages. With Wix, customizing menus for both desktop and mobile views is straightforward. In this guide, we’ll go over the steps to build custom menus, including tips on organizing and renaming items for easy navigation. Let’s dive in!

Why Custom Menus are Important

Menus are like a roadmap to your website. An intuitive menu structure not only guides users but also improves your site’s accessibility and SEO. By tailoring the menu to fit your content and brand, you help users feel at ease as they navigate, while also making it easy for search engines to understand the hierarchy of your content.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Custom Menus in Wix

Step 1: Plan Your Menu Structure

Before jumping into the editor, spend a few minutes planning your menu structure. Here are some tips for effective menu organization:

1. Limit Menu Items: Aim for a maximum of 5-7 top-level items to avoid overwhelming visitors.

2. Use Clear Labels: Make sure each label is descriptive and easy to understand. For example, use "Contact Us" rather than just "Contact."

3. Organize by Categories: Group similar pages under categories, such as “Services” or “About,” to streamline the menu layout.

Step 2: Access the Wix Editor and Menu Settings

1. Log in to your Wix account and open your website in the editor.

2. In the left toolbar, select “Menus & Pages”. This is where you’ll manage all pages and menu options.

Step 3: Add or Rename Menu Items

1. Add a New Page: To add a new page to the menu, click “Add Page” in the “Menus & Pages” section. This new page will automatically appear in your menu.

2. Rename Menu Items: To rename a page, click on the three dots next to the page name and select “Rename”. Enter a new name that reflects the page’s content.

3. Hide Pages from the Menu: If there’s a page you don’t want in the menu (e.g., a landing page for a campaign), click the page name, then toggle “Hide from Menu”. This will keep the page live but invisible on the menu.

Step 4: Create Submenus (Dropdown Menus)

If you have multiple pages under one category, creating a dropdown menu can improve navigation by grouping related content:

1. Drag and Drop to Create Submenus: Click on a page in the “Menus & Pages” panel and drag it slightly to the right, beneath the main menu item you want it grouped under. This will make it a submenu item.

2. Organize Submenu Items: Rearrange submenu items to reflect a logical flow or hierarchy. For example, you might put “Our Team” and “Mission Statement” under “About Us.”

3. Preview the Dropdown: Use the “Preview” mode to see how the dropdown works. Make sure it’s easy to access and visually appealing.

Step 5: Customize the Menu Design

1. Access Menu Design Options: Click on the menu on your page to open the Menu Settings toolbar. Here, you can customize the look of your menu.

2. Choose a Style: Select from various menu styles, including horizontal or vertical layouts, and dropdown or sidebar formats.

3. Adjust Font, Color, and Spacing: Use the “Design” options to adjust menu font, color, and spacing to match your brand style. Make sure that text contrasts well with the background and that spacing allows for easy tapping on mobile.

Step 6: Optimize for Mobile Navigation

Wix makes it easy to design a mobile-specific menu for a seamless experience on smaller screens:

1. Switch to Mobile View: At the top of the Wix editor, select “Switch to Mobile” to edit the mobile version of your site.

2. Mobile Menu Setup: The menu on mobile will appear as a “hamburger” (three lines) icon by default. You can click on it to adjust settings, including menu style and visibility.

3. Test Tap Zones: Make sure each menu item is large enough to tap easily. Use padding to ensure users don’t accidentally select the wrong item.

Tips for Creating Effective Custom Menus

1. Keep It Simple: Overloading your menu can confuse users. Only include the most important pages in your main menu and use dropdowns sparingly.

2. Use Descriptive Labels: Clear labels improve navigation and can contribute to SEO. Avoid overly creative or vague labels that may not immediately tell users what they’ll find.

3. Test with Real Users: Before publishing, ask someone unfamiliar with your site to navigate the menu. Their feedback can reveal areas for improvement.

A well-crafted menu can be the difference between a visitor leaving or staying to explore your site. By customizing your Wix menu for easy navigation, you create a welcoming experience that helps visitors find what they’re looking for quickly and enjoyably. With the steps outlined above, you’ll be able to build a custom menu that reflects your brand’s structure and makes navigation a breeze.