Nav column on right or left?

MikeD · #1 (**permalink**) 01-20-2008, 08:15 PM

What have you had more success with...2 column, 3 column, nav on right or nav on left?

I'm thinking nav on the left is best but all the stuff i read about SEO sez that the left column should be the content column.

Personally i thing the search bots are smart enough to figure out what the content is regardless how many columns you have and I think left column navigating is better.

Any thoughts?

--Mike

TechieGuy · #2 (**permalink**) 01-20-2008, 08:28 PM

The usual standard is to have the nav on the left, since that is what people who read left to right will see first.

I personally don't care as a well designed site should make navigation easy, regardless of which side you choose. For my current blog I chose the right side, which seems to be the new norm for blogs.

You can put navigation on both sides if you wish, but just remember that you may have less space for your content on the page.

lisa · #3 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 12:00 AM

I've always been a left nav kinda gal.

I've never tried anything but that. I've also noticed that with my 3 column site, the ads and links on the left get way more clicks than the ones on the right. No surprise though. As TechieGuy says, people tend to read left to right.

James · #4 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 12:04 AM

Since I have not yet set aside time to study SEO much and can't be certain of the truth of this, I can't state this comment as absolute fact. Nevertheless, I have read that what really has an effect is the location in the html.

If you use CSS (as you really should, right) then you don't really have to put the left hand column before the center or right hand column in the html. If each is contained in a div then you can easily position it wherever you want on the page with your CSS.

The idea seems to be that what comes first in the html gets some added value in the SEO process. If this is a major concern it would be worth doing some research. Otherwise just sticking with left side seems a good idea since that is where most people look first, although it seems to me that the horizontal bar across the top with drop down menus are getting almost as popular.

Good success,

James

lisa · #5 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 12:26 AM

Oh, I just realized I ignored the reference about SEO. I was just answering in regards to the design.

I honestly don't think it matters when it comes to SEO. As I've said here before, traditional SEO where we used to worry about keyword density, location of main keywords, number of hyperlinks that include main keyword, placement of links etc. is really going away (if not already gone). We're getting to the point where content and quality backlinks are the major players.

I don't read SEO stuff like I used to. None of it really seems to matter long term. It's all about content and backlinks.

Rob · #6 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 08:15 AM

Though I would just touch on another option, I've always thought that top navigation looks quite nice too (yes this may be biased as my site is like that too)

However the reason I chose top nav instead of left or right, is because I think if you have a bright appealing header, the visitor is likely to look around that area and notice your other pages.

But I agree with everyone esle SEO is dying should'nt worry to much and if your going for the common website look left hand navigation is the thing for you.

MikeD · #7 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 10:34 AM

Thx for the input.

I'll probably go with a 3 column template since tha't what I'm familiar with. The top nav is something I haven't thought of but I it does look like a good way to go.

I'll buy templates since I'd rather spend money than my time learning right now so I'll be at the mercy with what' I can get off the shelf. I figure I'll learn by modifying those.

As far as SEO goes...I see a lot of "web2.0 style" blogs that have no left column and double up on the right side. The rational is that it's best for the search bots crawling your page to find your content. Beyond the SEO basics of content, keywords and backlinks so many SEO "tweeks" seem more like urban legend or the telephone game run amok to me.

Personally I find it takes effort to find anything when you have 2-right hand columns but the blogs are a lot easier to read. I'm beginning to think what works for blogs doesn't necessarily work for websites.

--Mike

lisa · #8 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeD

Thx for the input.

I'll buy templates since I'd rather spend money than my time learning right now so I'll be at the mercy with what' I can get off the shelf. I figure I'll learn by modifying those.

--Mike

That's the approach I take. I really don't like designing (takes me too long and I don't have that talent) so it's easier for me to buy a template and then do my own customization in PhotoShop, etc.

ssmorgan · #9 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 02:04 PM

I, also, would rather not fuss with the design. I sorta buy templates too.

Here is what I do, though... I get a Free Template, and sometimes, the designer of the template will ask for a donation or a small fee ($10) to remove the link back to their site.

This works for me

since the fee is usually a lot less than buying a template.

If you download a free template, read the "license" and usually the designer will tell you whether they require you to keep the link back to their site, or how much they would want in return of the removal of the link.

Also, if you use HostGator for your hosting, go to:

http://www.hostgator.com/shared.shtml

On the right-side panel of the page, look for "Free Website Templates" - there are a ton of excellent templates, and they are all free if you're hosting your site with HostGator.

lisa · #10 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssmorgan

Also, if you use HostGator for your hosting, go to:

http://www.hostgator.com/shared.shtml

On the right-side panel of the page, look for "Free Website Templates" - there are a ton of excellent templates, and they are all free if you're hosting your site with HostGator.

Great advice Sherif. I didn't know Hostgator had free templates.

augenauf · #11 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 04:38 PM

*is partial to left and horizontal navs*

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