How can I search?

I usually expect to find the search box at the top right of a page, but once I went looking for sites with search functionality, I didn’t find many.  Maybe I didn’t find many because I was only looking around the top right of the page, but I guess that says a lot for the importances of standards.

I don’t often use the search functionality, but I read somewhere that many people do prefer to use a search tool, rather than exploring a site’s pages.  As there are different preferences, I think it’s good to include it, and I like having it there just in case I can’t find something …

Example sourced from BestWebGallery

Where am I in the scheme of things?

I immediately think of breadcrumbs when pondering this question, but I didn’t find many sites with breadcrumbs.  I guess they’re not really needed for smaller websites, but for larger websites I find them really helpful, so that you don’t feel like you’re losing your way.  In my search however, some of the breadcrumbs I did find, didn’t seem to work … ie. they didn’t actually show the path I’d taken.  This reminded me of Hansel and Gretel and I am trying to recall if the witch removed the breadcrumb trail in order to trap them?  In any case, it made me uncomfortable that the breadcrumbs were there, but I couldn’t trust them …

Here are a few examples…

I like the arrows, which makes the direction of your travel clear.

This one doesn’t have arrows, so perhaps it’s not quite as helpful or clear …

Again, I prefer the arrows (but I do like the products in this online store, I think my dog needs a new bed)…

Examples sourced from BestWebGallery

What are my options at the local navigation level?

The main sections of this website are found at the top of page, beneath the header, with some of these sections indicating there are more options with a small arrow being displayed next to the text.  When you click on one of these links, the content is shifted down, and a breakdown of further options is displayed.  Clicking on the same link again, closes this additional list of links, and restores the page to the former display.

Examples sourced from BestWebGallery

What are the major sections of this site?

This page looks organised and easy to follow, with the main sections of the site displayed in the navigation at the top of the page.

Example sourced from BestWebGallery

What page am I on?

I clicked on an image displayed on the home page, to see where it would take me.  In the navigation found at the top of the page, the look of the page links change depending on the page I’m on, so I know straight away that I’m in the ‘Shop’ page.

Example sourced from BestWebGallery

What site is this?

If I tilt my head to the side, I know the name of the site I’m on … and I kind of like that I have to tilt my head because it imitates curiosity … thus making me curious.  This information remains on all pages of this site, but doesn’t link back to the home page, which is probably fine when you can return home by clicking on the the word home or the image at the top-centre of the page.

I like the image on the right, which changes on each page.  I like this idea as it could serve as an additional, yet subtle place marker.

Example sourced from BestWebGallery