Main and Secondary Navigation

The main navigation and secondary navigation is how most users will get around your site.

Main Navigation Tips

What goes in the main navigation? 

Topic-oriented links that define the larger sections of your site. This includes common sections such as "About," "Academics," and "People." 

Avoid having links that take users away from your site. 

How many links?

No more than 5 is recommended. This is because the length of the whole navigation bar matters. If the navigation bar is too long, it will "break" at smaller screen sizes:

Example of when too many links breaks the main navigation.
Example of when a site title and number of links "breaks" the main navigation at smaller screen sizes.

The main navigation length should be no more than 1235px wide, and is dependent on three things:

1) length of the site name
2) number of links
3) length of links

The width of the main nav should be 1235px or less.
Make sure all the main nav elements are under 1235px in width.

Secondary Navigation Tips

What goes in the secondary navigation? 

Action-oriented links, such as "Contact," "Apply," and "Give," as well as links to news and events. The default links (Give, Events, and News), can be changed to fit your site's needs. 

Links to external websites are also better placed here. 

How many links?

No more than 6 is recommended. Also consider the length of each link, and if you are using a Secondary CTA link. 

Using the "Secondary CTA" link

[TBD]