How to Manage the Navigation Menu of a Website Using OzSpeed hPanel

A well-organized navigation menu helps visitors easily find the information they need on your website. It’s an essential part of user experience and can influence how users interact with your site. Using OzSpeed’s hPanel and WordPress or the built-in Website Builder, you can easily customize, update, and manage your website’s navigation menu. This guide will walk you through the process step by step.

---

Step 1: Understand the Structure of a Navigation Menu #

A typical navigation menu includes main links to important pages like:

• Home
• About Us
• Services
• Blog
• Contact Us

Additional Menu Options: #

• Dropdown Menus: Allow users to access subpages directly.
• Call-to-Action Links: Include buttons like “Get a Quote” or “Sign Up” for key actions.

Tip: #

• Keep the menu simple and avoid overcrowding it with too many links.

---

Step 2: Access the Navigation Menu Editor #

You can manage your navigation menu using hPanel or through your CMS (e.g., WordPress).

Using Website Builder in hPanel: #

1. Log in to hPanel at ozspeed.com.au.
2. Go to Website Builder > Edit Site.
3. Click on the Navigation Menu section in the top toolbar.

Using WordPress: #

1. Log in to your WordPress Admin Dashboard.
2. Go to Appearance > Menus.
3. Select the menu you want to edit from the dropdown menu and click Select.

Tip: #

• If you’re using a custom theme, check if it has a built-in menu editor.

---

Step 3: Add New Menu Items #

To improve navigation, you may want to add new pages, posts, or custom links to your menu.

How to Add a New Menu Item in Website Builder: #

1. Click Add Item in the Navigation Menu editor.
2. Choose the type of item you want to add (e.g., Page, Blog Post, Custom Link).
3. Enter the name and URL of the item.
4. Click Save.

How to Add a New Menu Item in WordPress: #

1. In the Menus editor, check the box next to the page, post, or category you want to add.
2. Click Add to Menu.
3. Drag the item to the desired position in the menu.
4. Click Save Menu.

Tip: #

• Use clear, concise names for menu items to help visitors understand what each link leads to.

---

Step 4: Create Dropdown Menus #

Dropdown menus allow you to organize your navigation by grouping related pages under a parent menu item.

How to Create a Dropdown Menu: #

1. Drag and drop the menu item below the parent item.
2. Indent the item slightly to the right to nest it as a sub-item.
3. Click Save.

Tip: #

• Limit the number of sub-items to keep the dropdown menu easy to navigate.

---

Step 5: Customize the Appearance of the Menu #

Customize the look and feel of your navigation menu to match your website’s design.

Using Website Builder: #

1. Click on the Navigation Menu section.
2. Adjust the Font Style, Color, and Background settings.
3. Preview the changes and click Save.

Using WordPress: #

1. Go to Appearance > Customize > Menus.
2. Change the Menu Location, Font, and Color Settings.
3. Click Publish to apply the changes.

Tip: #

• Choose a color that contrasts with your website background for better visibility.

---

Step 6: Set the Menu Location #

You can display the navigation menu in different locations on your website, such as the header, footer, or sidebar.

How to Set Menu Location: #

1. In the Menu editor, go to Menu Settings.
2. Check the box for the desired display location (e.g., Primary Menu, Footer Menu).
3. Click Save.

Tip: #

• Keep the main navigation menu in the header for easy access.

---

Step 7: Remove Unwanted Menu Items #

Periodically review your navigation menu and remove any outdated or irrelevant links.

How to Remove a Menu Item: #

1. Click on the item you want to remove.
2. Click Delete or Remove.
3. Click Save to update the menu.

Tip: #

• Regularly update your navigation menu to reflect changes on your website, such as new pages or services.

---

Step 8: Test Your Navigation Menu #

After making changes, test your navigation menu to ensure all links work correctly and the menu is responsive.

Testing Checklist: #

1. Check All Links: Click on each menu item to verify it leads to the correct page.
2. Test on Mobile Devices: Ensure the menu is mobile-friendly and easy to navigate.
3. Check Dropdown Menus: Verify that dropdown menus work properly and display sub-items correctly.

Tip: #

• Use an incognito window or clear your browser cache to see the changes without cached data.

---

Step 9: Optimize Your Navigation for SEO #

A well-structured navigation menu can improve your website’s search engine optimization (SEO).

How to Optimize for SEO: #

1. Use Descriptive Menu Titles: Include relevant keywords in your menu item names (e.g., “Web Design Services” instead of “Services”).
2. Enable Breadcrumb Navigation: This helps search engines understand the structure of your website.
3. Keep the Menu Consistent: Avoid changing the menu structure frequently, as it can confuse both users and search engines.

Tip: #

• Use an SEO plugin like Yoast SEO in WordPress to get additional recommendations.

---

Troubleshooting Tips #

1. Menu Not Updating:
   • Clear your browser cache and the website cache in hPanel.
   • Check that you saved the changes in the Menu editor.
2. Dropdown Menu Not Working on Mobile:
   • Ensure your theme is responsive and supports mobile navigation.
   • Test the menu using a mobile device or the responsive design mode in your browser.
3. Menu Links Broken:
   • Verify that the URLs for each menu item are correct.
   • Use a link checker tool like Broken Link Checker in WordPress to find and fix any broken links.

---

Additional Tips: #

• Use Sticky Navigation: Enable sticky navigation in Website Builder to keep the menu visible as users scroll.
• Keep It Simple: Limit the number of menu items to avoid overwhelming visitors.
• Monitor User Behavior: Use tools like Google Analytics to see which menu items are most frequently clicked.