The most common navigation models are horizontal header bars, vertical sidebars, dropdown menus, hamburger menus (primarily for mobile), and footer navigation. Each model suits different site complexities, and the right choice depends on content volume, audience expectations, and device distribution.
Horizontal header navigation is the standard for most business websites: logo on the left linking to the homepage, primary pages arrayed across the top. Vertical sidebars work better for complex sites with deep content hierarchies. Dropdown menus organize subcategories beneath top-level items but introduce hover-based interaction friction. Hamburger menus conserve space on mobile screens but hide content behind an extra tap, which reduces discoverability. Footer menus serve as a secondary navigation layer for utility pages and overflow links. Three design approaches shape how these models are applied: object-oriented navigation (content organized by nouns and categories), task-oriented navigation (structured around user actions), and workflow-based navigation (linear predetermined paths). Most B2B sites use object-oriented top navigation with task-oriented CTAs layered in.