Menu Examples

Menu choices are guided by the organization of the site itself.

Some sites are not very broad in the subjects covered (main categories) but are quite deep in the dependent information under those subject. (sub and sub-sub categories)

Other sites have a broad range of categories, and little dependent material.

Then, naturally, there are sites with both a broad range of categories and a depth of collateral material

Drop Down from the top: Main Categories line up across the top of the page and the sub-categories are in drop down and fly out menus.

This style is great for the first type. A limited number of categories will fit across the top of the page, but it leaves more side-to-side space to present the material.  ->>See Example

Fly out from the side: Main Categories line up down the side and the sub categories are on fly out menus.

This style is best for the second or third type of site. Since the Main Categories line up down the side, there is no real limit on the number of main and sub categories.  ->>See Example

Static Side/Top panel: Main Categories line up either across the top or down the side with no fly out.

This is best for the site with many categories, no depth. Or one that has so much depth that each category needs a separate guide page to show the dependent material. This page is an example of a static side panel since this site does not have sub categories and sub categories. You might check the real estate sites for more examples.

It can be done with buttons that change as you move the mouse over them, or text that changes color or any number of schemes. The number of categories, file size and download time as well as personal taste dictate the choices.

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