Navigation on the web is not like conventional navigation. If you want to get to Miami, you may choose to fly, drive, ride a bus, go by train, rent a car, or go by boat. On the web, the only way to get from one place in your site to another is by clicking your mouse. The variable in web navigation is simply where and on what you click.
Depending on the kind of site you want, there a a few basic choices. First of all the location of the "click". It is fairly standard to have the links listed on the left side of your site. But, of course, that leaves the right side, top and bottom that you may also choose as well. Is one better than the other? This is left to your personal choice and the overall design of your site.
Next you've got the choice of text links or graphic buttons. These are only limited by your imagination. The most important thing about navigational systems is they must be intuitive. Your users need to immediately identify how they are supposed to move through your site, and they need to be able to get to every page from every page.
Don't let yourself fall into the trap of needing lots of motion and glitz on every page. You can have advanced mouseover events but just don't go nuts, and remember; they probably won't wait for heavy graphics to download. A well designed site is better for your image than lots of superfluous eyecandy.
There are some great advanced navigation effects that really go a long way to helping the user make heads or tails out of your site. I can demonstrate some advanced disjoined mouseovers that really enhance comprehension.
Many sites like to mix and match their navigational systems and ultimately you probably should. A website is very much a blend of media and publication. Talk to me and we can develop a concept for you that reflects your business and your taste.
