Print: Section 4.8

Organize Content and Simplify Navigation

4.8 Give users options to browse.

Many users with limited literacy skills will browse through categories of content instead of using a search box.8,28,34,39 This may be because they:

  • Don’t see the search box (many users with limited web experience don’t know where to look for a search box)
  • Are worried about spelling mistakes
  • Are overwhelmed by search results
  • Don’t understand placeholder text in search boxes

Include multiple ways to browse for topics (for example, by topic categories in an A to Z list).

Figure 4.12

The healthfinder website allows users to search for health information by topic categories, A to Z list, or search box, or by using the left menu navigation.

Screenshot of myhealthfinder homepage

Source: https://health.gov/myhealthfinder