Multi-Level Dropdown Menus: Affording Fluid Navigation
Manoj kumar | 27th February 2018
The Design Problem:-
When we are dealing with the applications, website or system that have a large number of different sections or subpages, then in that scenario, we need to provide users with some means of navigating across all of the application. However, a simple menu can be sufficient to contain all of the multi-levels within the site or system.
The Solution:-
Multi-Level dropdown or “Fat Menu” fulfil these requirements by consolidating all of the different sections of the application into one list, which is further divided into subcategories and can be accessed from a navigation bar.
Why choose Mega Dropdown Menus?
Multi-Level Dropdown Menus represent a form of progressive disclosure, which is a user interface design concept that focuses on providing users with information only when they request it. While presenting all of the navigation points, for the particular navigation, users are able to investigate a wide range of options.
Multi-Level dropdown menus provide flexibilities in navigation in segregate form. A small sketch and icons can make the impact so that users can take appropriate action on elements. Being small in size comparatively, the small menu is not clickable and usable. So Multi-Level Dropdown Menus create the proper impact on usability.
Implementing Mega Dropdown Menus:-
- Establish the different sections and subpages of your site.
- Categorise these contents according to some logical group formation, such as ‘shoes’, ‘trousers’ and ‘shirts’ on a clothing website.
- Assign link labels to these individual options; again, making sure they are fitting for the contents so the user knows exactly what they will find when they arrive.
- Utilise the size of the fat menu by spreading options out horizontally, but you might be best to limit the vertical sprawl as options may well spread beneath the end of the browser page, which would require the user to scroll down to see all of the available options.
- Ensure the design of the fat menu is consistent with the general appearance of the user interface.
- The menu should be accessible through some form of the navigation bars, such as a top-level or global navigation bar arranged horizontally across the top of the page.
- To make full use of the connectedness afforded by fat menus, ensure this user interface design pattern is ever-present on all pages or sections of the site, system or application.
