Checkpoint 9.6 - Core

Providing consistent navigation is important for users to show context and location. Inconsistently presented navigation might quickly disorient users, which could lead to mistakes, confusion and frustration.

Consistent and predictable navigation mechanisms make the site predictable and trustworthy. They also allow users to navigate the site quickly and skip any unwanted information easily.

Additionally, consistently presented information facilitates easy website maintenance.

Requirement

Use navigation mechanisms in a consistent manner.

Recommendation

The following points need to be considered when assessing consistency of a navigation method:

Visual presentation

navigation elements look the same from page to page

Order

navigation elements are presented in a consistent sequence

Language

terminology is consistent

Behaviour

links and navigation controls always do the same thing when activated

Checking Tool

View website in the browser and compare positioning and presentation of navigation links across different pages and ensure that they behave in a consistent manner when activated.

Information Source

The original source of this information is located on the W3C web site  (www.w3.org/TR/WCAG10-TECHS/#tech-clear-nav-mechanism)