The number of clicks it takes to reach a page from the homepage, affecting crawlability and SEO.
Why Navigation Depth Matters
Navigation depth is a foundational part of modern SEO because it directly impacts a website’s crawlability and user experience. A search engine’s crawler has a finite amount of time and resources to crawl a site. If a page is buried deep within a website’s structure, a search crawler may not get to it, which can lead to a lower indexation rate and a loss of organic traffic. A low navigation depth, on the other hand, helps a search crawler find and index all your important content, which can lead to a higher ranking and a more prominent position in search results. It’s a key part of building a resilient and sustainable SEO strategy.
Across Different CMS Platforms
The management of navigation depth is a technical SEO strategy that can be applied to any CMS.
WordPress
WordPress users can easily manage their navigation depth by using a good SEO plugin like Yoast SEO or Rank Math. These plugins can help you to create a clear, hierarchical site structure that keeps all your important pages within a few clicks of your homepage.
Shopify
On Shopify, it is essential for an e-commerce store. You can use the platform’s built-in SEO features to create a clear, hierarchical site structure that helps a user find your products and a search crawler find all your important content.
Wix
Wix has a streamlined, user-friendly system, but you can still optimize for navigation depth. The platform’s built-in SEO tools make it easy to manage your titles, meta descriptions, and on-page content.
Webflow
Webflow gives you granular control over your website’s design and code, which is perfect for a sophisticated navigation depth strategy. You can use it to create a perfectly structured page that is optimized for a specific keyword or set of keywords.
Custom CMS
With a custom CMS, you have the most control but also the most responsibility. You can build a system that automatically tracks and analyzes your navigation depth performance and provides your content creators with data-driven insights.
Across Different Industries
The way you use navigation depth will depend on your industry and your goals.
E-commerce
E-commerce sites often have thousands of pages, so a clear and logical structure of navigation depth is a must. A product page should be no more than a few clicks away from the homepage.
Local Businesses
Local businesses can use a low navigation depth to build a stronger community. A local restaurant, for example, can have a node for its menu, its location, and its hours.
SaaS Companies
SaaS companies can use a low navigation depth to build a stronger brand reputation. A company that sells project management software can have a node for its features, its pricing, and its blog.
Blogs
Blogs are a great way to capitalize on a low navigation depth. A blog that writes about cooking can have a node for each of its articles.
Dos and Don’ts
- Keep all important pages within 2-3 clicks of the homepage: This is the gold standard for SEO. It ensures that a search crawler can find and index all your important content.
- Use internal links to reduce navigation depth: A good internal linking strategy helps search crawlers discover new pages and adds context to existing ones.
- Use a clear, hierarchical site structure: A logical site structure makes it easy for search crawlers to find and index your content.
- Avoid a “spider web” site structure: This is when pages are linked randomly to each other, creating a confusing and difficult-to-crawl site.
- Avoid using a JavaScript-only menu: This is the number one mistake and can lead to a significant portion of your content being invisible to search engines.
- Avoid a deep, messy site structure: A lack of a clear structure can lead to a lower indexation rate and a loss of organic traffic.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Failing to use a clear, hierarchical site structure: This can confuse a search engine and a user.
- Ignoring a user’s intent: A keyword should be used with a user’s intent in mind.
- Focusing on short-tail keywords alone: Long-tail keywords are often easier to rank for and can be a great source of organic traffic.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does navigation depth affect my crawl budget?
It affects your crawl budget because a search engine’s crawler has a finite amount of time and resources to crawl your site. If a page is buried deep within a website’s structure, a search crawler may not get to it, which can lead to a lower indexation rate.
What is the difference between navigation depth and site architecture?
It is a metric that measures how many clicks it takes to get to a page. Site architecture is the overall structure of a website. A good site architecture will have a low navigation depth.
What is a “flat” site structure?
A flat site structure is when all your important pages are a few clicks away from the homepage. It is the best approach for a good navigation depth.
Can a page with a high navigation depth still rank?
A page with a high navigation depth can still rank, but it can be difficult. A high navigation depth is a sign that a page is not as important as you thought or that a website has a messy site structure.
How can I check my website’s navigation depth?
You can check your website’s navigation depth by using a tool that provides a site analysis. You can also manually click through your website to see how many clicks it takes to get to a specific page.
