Using Internet Navigational Paths, Headers and Logos

A few basic hints using logos, headers and navigational paths can make your Internet experience easier and more enjoyable.

Logos and headers are generally found at the top of Web site pages. These often give the company name and tagline. Click on this link: Nature's Thumbprint to take a look at a header. Across the top of the screen you see a flower, the company name "Nature's Thumbprint" and the company tagline, "Each glimpse of Nature is as unique as a Thumbprint". This is the company header, which on some websites may also be the company logo.

Often, logos and headers can be clicked on with your mouse. By clicking on a logo or header you will be redirected to the home page of that website. The home page is the first page of a website which generally has links to all other areas of the website as well as a description or image of what the website is about. If you get lost on a site clicking the header is often an excellent way to go back to the beginning and start over without having to press the back button on your browser a hundred times. Also, when you see a company logo on another website you can often click on the logo and it will take you to that company's website. Beware though, not all websites work this way. Some are too old and many smaller companies do not link their logos or headers to their home pages because they do not realize this is possible.

Another way to find your way if you become lost on a Web site is by using the navigational path. Once again, not all Web sites have these but those that do make it much easier for you to go back three pages than by using the back button on your browser. Click on this link: Area Rugs by McCalls. Imagine that you began on the home page of this site and clicked until you landed on this page. Above the rug is the name of the rug, "Allure 2a". Above the rug name you will see something like this:

Home / Area Rugs - Buy Online Now! / Traditional Collections / Allure-2a

This is the navigational path for this page. Instead of using the back button you can see the path from the home page to this particular product page. When using the back button on your browser you must revisit each page you clicked on prior to the one you are currently visiting. With the navigational path you can go from the rug "Allure-2a" page to the "Area Rugs - Buy Online Now!" page without having to pass through the "Traditional Collections" page to get there.

These hints should make navigating a website a little easier and makes it fun to experiment with getting around the next website you visit!