In addition to websites, breadcrumbs are used in CMS, operating systems, and file managers. A simple example is the navigation chain in Microsoft Word text editor. When you go to the File tab, you can see the full path to the open document.
Why we need breadcrumbs on the site
“Breadcrumbs improve usability. They indicate the visitor’s current location and allow them to quickly return to other categories and sections. This helps solve the following problems:
Increase browsing time and depth. It’s easier for users to understand the site hierarchy and navigate through sections. Therefore, they spend more time on the site and close the resource less often. This reduces the number of bounces on the site and improves readability.
Increase conversion rates. When a site has many sections, categories and subcategories, it’s difficult for a visitor to find the right page. Clear navigation helps to quickly find the necessary products, services or sections. This increases the conversion rate to an order or sale.
For example, the client of an online store did not like a particular smartphone model. In this case he returns in one click to the “Smartphones” section and explores other options. But if the navigation is uncomfortable, he will close the page and go look for a product from competitors.
Improve ranking. Competently designed breadcrumbs help search robots to better read the code site, understand its structure and content.
And even marked in the code of the site navigation chain can be reflected in the snippet. When the user sees readable “breadcrumbs” in the search engine, it attracts attention and increases the likelihood of clicks.
Where breadcrumbs are used
On the site “bread crumbs” become a double menu. Most often they are added at the beginning of the page directly above or below the title.
Placing navigation above the article
Actually breadcrumbs look like a list of links to pages. Each link is clickable, and it can be used to quickly jump to the desired content.
This kind of navigation is useful for most sites, especially if the resource has a layered structure and many pages. Breadcrumbs are often used:
- news sites;
- online stores;
- large portals;
- blogs;
- corporate sites;
- educational resources.
To understand whether your site needs breadcrumbs, assess the level of nesting. Count the number of categories and subcategories, analyze how quickly the user gets to the desired page from the home page.
If the site has a maximum of two levels of nesting, then simplify the navigation is not required. It is enough to add the button “Up” or “Home”. Thus, “bread crumbs” are not needed for one-page sites and lending. But when the structure of more than two levels, it is better to set up breadcrumbs.
