Top-level pages are the ones visible in the primary navigation: core business offerings (products, services, or solutions), a resources or content hub, company information, and pricing. The homepage serves as the entry point and navigation hub. Utility items like search, account settings, and language selectors belong in separate areas outside the main menu.
Footer navigation handles secondary pages such as legal terms, privacy policies, press information, and contact details. The main navigation should be selective: too many top-level items create clutter and overwhelm visitors. Each top-level page should represent a distinct category that maps to a primary buyer need or journey stage. For a growth-focused SaaS site, this typically means one path for understanding the solution, one for evaluating proof and methodology, one for accessing educational content, and one for taking action. The goal is a navigation structure where a first-time visitor can identify the right path within seconds of arrival.