3.2.3: Consistent Navigation

What it means

Navigation mechanisms that repeat across pages — menus, search, footers — appear in the same relative order each time. Consistency helps people learn where to find things.

Reorder nav items on every template at your peril.

How to fix it

• Keep primary navigation in the same order site-wide.
• Place search and utility links in consistent locations.
• Use shared layout components so order does not drift per page.
• Document nav structure for content authors.

Quick examples

• Good: Home, Products, Support, Contact appear in the same order on every page.
• Bad: The main menu shuffles items depending on which section you are in.
• Good: Footer legal links always appear in an identical sequence.
• Bad: Search moves from header to sidebar on inner pages without reason.