Navigation Rails are UI elements found in medium or large layouts – both websites and applications. They are vertical columns placed on either side of the main content area, usually to the left or right of the screen.
Navigation Rails serve as a navigation aid and provide easy access to various sections, features, or platform options. They support up to 7 navigation items and are always in the exact location – even when going from different screens within an app. In web design, sidebar navigation contains links to different pages, categories, or areas of the website.
Navigation Rails can be used on any website, depending on your goals. But they are especially important in these cases:
Content-Heavy Platforms
Content-heavy platforms represent news websites, blogs, or social media platforms. These platforms need navigation rails because they have a lot of information and various sections to navigate through.
SaaS Platforms and Desktop Applications
Navigation rails are becoming more and more popular on SaaS platforms and desktop applications. They act as the central hub of these platforms because users need to switch between different sections or features. Here, sidebars are not only used for navigational purposes. They can also show users the next steps they must follow and their progress.
eCommerce Platforms
The more products or services the online store offers, the more links will be needed. Navigation rails are used to group categories and filter the products. This way, they offer users an efficient and organized structure.
How To Use Navigation Rails
Anatomy
Navigation Container
Menu/Index – optional
Action Button – optional
Active Indicator
Active Icon
Active Label – optional
Inactive Icon
Badge (large)
Badge label (large) – optional
Badge (small)
Inactive Label Text – optional
Menu
Navigation Items: The primary purpose of a navigation rail is to provide easy access to different sections or pages of the website or application. Do not forget about the navigation links.
Icons or Symbols: They are visual cues that help users recognize the purpose of each link without relying on textual descriptions (labels).
Call-To-Action Buttons: Navigation rails often feature essential CTAs that prompt users to take specific actions – for example, signing up for newsletters, subscribing to services, or initiating contact.
Social Media Links: These can help promote your social media presence and expand your brand’s online presence.
User Profile: Include account settings, preferences, and personalized content.
Behavior
When a user interface scrolls horizontally, the navigation rail can either scroll off-screen or stay in a fixed position. Add a divider to indicate that the content is scrolling underneath the navigation rail.
Selection
When a user selects another navigation item (different from the initial item), the platform should immediately navigate to the destination page that the new item triggered. This is done through a transition pattern and leaves the other pages inactive.
If the user selects the same navigation item that it is currently on, the app might reset to the initial place of the screen (usually the top). But it could also leave the item fully inactive, and the action does not trigger anything on the page, leaving the screen as it is.
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