Simple website navigation (what pages you actually need)
By Kelly Dollinger
When you’re planning a website, it’s easy to get pulled into a long list of “should” pages.
You see other sites with pages for everything. You start wondering if you’re missing something.
Most of the time, you aren’t.
Your navigation doesn’t need to be complicated. It needs to be clear.
This post will help you pick the right pages for your stage of business, so your site feels simple to use and simple to maintain.
Start with one question: what should someone do next?
Before you choose pages, get clear on the main action you want someone to take.
Examples:
- Book a consult
- Request an appointment
- Fill out an inquiry form
- Buy a product
- Join your email list
Your navigation should support that next step. If a page doesn’t support it, it probably doesn’t belong in your top menu.
The goal of navigation (in plain language).
Your menu has one job.
It helps the right people quickly answer:
- Am I in the right place?
- What do you do?
- Is this for me?
- What should I do next?
If your navigation answers those questions, you’re in good shape.
The three stages (and what pages usually fit).
Most service businesses fall into one of these stages.
Pick the one that sounds most like you right now.
Stage 1: New or rebuilding.
You’re still clarifying your offer, or you’re rebuilding after a long DIY season. You want something clean and professional that doesn’t require a ton of upkeep.
Keep it simple. Aim for 4 to 5 pages.
Navigation that works well:
- Home
- About
- Services
- FAQs (or put FAQs on Services)
- Contact (or Book)
If you have one clear service, “Services” can be “Work With Me” instead.
Stage 2: Established and growing.
You know what you offer. You’re getting steady clients. You want your site to do more than just “exist.”
Aim for 5 to 7 pages.
Navigation that works well:
- Home
- About
- Services
- (optional) Individual service pages
- Results (or Testimonials)
- Blog (or Resources)
- FAQs
- Contact (or Book)
If you have multiple offers, individual service pages can reduce confusion and help people self-select.
Stage 3: Expanding your content or offers.
You’re building a longer-term marketing system. You might have multiple offers, a lead magnet, a library of content, or a few different audiences.
Aim for 6 to 8 pages, but keep the top menu focused.
Navigation that works well:
- Home
- About
- Work With Me
- Services
- Packages
- (optional) Pricing
- Resources
- Blog
- Freebies
- Guides
- Results
- Contact (or Book)
This is where dropdown menus help. They keep the top navigation clean.
What usually does not belong in your top navigation.
These pages aren’t “bad.” They just don’t need to be in the main menu for most businesses.
- Policies
- Privacy policy
- Terms
- Thank you pages
- Portal pages
- Old program pages
- Every single blog category
They can still exist. They just don’t need to be front-and-center.
A simple rule for choosing pages.
If you’re stuck, use this:
Your top navigation should have 3 to 6 links.
More than that can create decision fatigue.
If you need more pages, group them under one label like “Work With Me” or “Resources.”
If you’re not sure what to call things.
Use labels that sound like plain English.
Good options:
- Services
- Work With Me
- About
- Contact
- Book
- Resources
Try to avoid clever names that make people think. If someone has to guess what a page contains, they’ll hesitate.
Checklist
- Choose your main next step (book, contact, download)
- Pick your stage (new, growing, expanding)
- Keep your top navigation to 3 to 6 links
- Use “Work With Me” or “Resources” to group extra pages
- Remove policy and hidden pages from the top menu
Next step
Write down your current navigation. Then cross out anything that doesn’t help someone understand what you do or take the next step.
If you’re left with 4 to 6 links, you’re right where you need to be.
This is part of the One-Day Build prep series. For the full picture of how the process works, read What is a one-day website build?, or go straight to the One-Day Website Build service page to see what’s included.