Navigation and Page Structure
Idiot Proof
One of the most common mistakes with website design is navigation. When formulating how each page should connect to the home page, try to imagine your target market to be a five year old or somebody who's not internet savvy. Both need to be able to find the information they want quickly, without wading through many different pages and categories and sub categories.
As a rule of thumb, try to make sure that the pages go no deeper than three levels - for example, and referring back to my trusty roller skate shop analogy - If a customer wanted to buy some knee pads - the home page is your first level, the roller skate catalogue is your second and the accessories page is your third. Your imaginary customer certainly doesn't want to go to your homepage, and then your online catalogue, and then the accessories section, then the safety section, then the knee pads section. Keep the navigation as simple as you can.
As a rule of thumb, try to make sure that the pages go no deeper than three levels - for example, and referring back to my trusty roller skate shop analogy - If a customer wanted to buy some knee pads - the home page is your first level, the roller skate catalogue is your second and the accessories page is your third. Your imaginary customer certainly doesn't want to go to your homepage, and then your online catalogue, and then the accessories section, then the safety section, then the knee pads section. Keep the navigation as simple as you can.
Search Engines don't always 'crawl' deep - that often
Also, when search engine's 'crawl' your website, they won't often go so many pages deep (well, they have been known to on ocassion but it's not that regular), so good navigation not only appeals to potential customers but search engines too. It also helps to incorporate a navigation bar on each and every page so the customer can move through your site without having to press the back button and retrace their steps.