Breadcrumb tactics

not sure I did the best thing

[lorax]

I have a main nav bar across the top of the pages on a website. Each section the main nav points to has it's own sub nav on the left. Each section the main nav points to also has a text breadcrumb trail like: section title > sub section title just beneath the main nav.

I did not use links for the breadcrumb trail unless the sub section has more than one page (section title > sub section title > sub page 2) in which case I add a link back to the top of the sub-section. I did not use links for the section title because the main nav appears on each page. Should I?

[pageoneresults]

lorax, I think I understand what you are saying. Typically in a breadcrumb environment, the page you are on is not linked in the trail. All preceding pages followed to get to that section are linked in the trail normally at the top as you describe.

Usually, if you are at the main page where just the one bread crumb is showing which in your case is the section title, it would not be linked since the page would reload itself and confuse the visitor. Having the main sections linked in the left nav is the proper way to do it.

I use my Chain of Command theory when linking. In a breadcrumb scenario as you describe, the Admirals (top of the chain) are always viewable at left (or elsewhere) and linked since they lead to main sections. Once you click on one of the Admirals, you are taken to the entrance of that Admirals quarters.

The Admiral's quarters now list the Vice-Admirals under him. The Admiral stands watch at the top of the page (first breadcrumb - not linked). As you visit each Vice Admirals section, the Admiral becomes linked at the top so that you can find your way back to his quarters while the Vice Admirals become the next in the breadcrumb trail, delinked. And so on, and so on.

Based on your explanation of what you are doing, it sounds like you have it down pat. Just make sure the Admiral is always available, especially once you've made it down the trail into the Petty Officer's area.

Now, if that didn't confuse you, let me know! ;)

P.S. For those reading this thread, a Breadcrumb Trail is a link structure that normally shows at the top of the page and shows the user where they are in a particular section that has lots of content.

When you use a directory, most have a breadcrumb trail at the top showing where you are in the directory structure, something like this...

Main Cat > Sub > Sub > Sub > Page

Instead of using your back button, it allows you to follow links back to the beginning in a similar fashion as using the back button.

[lorax]

Thanks pageoneresults,
There is just one minor detail I want to get straight. In the breadcrumb order of section top > sub > sub - I haven't made 'section top' live because the main nav bar is immediately above it (and 'section top' is available there). Does this mess up the effectiveness of the breadcrumb as far as the SEs are concerned? My visitors can see everything they need to navigate - it's just a question of the SEs now.

[jdMorgan]

lorax,

Taking this forun as an example, the top left of the page shows we're in
Home / Forums Index / The SEO World / Search Engine Promotion
and right above that "Home / " is the WebmasterWorld logo, which leads to the same place as Home.

I'd link it.

Jim

[Hawkgirl]

Lorax, there should be no reason why not hyperlinking "section top" would do anything to mess up the SEs because, as you said, there is another link right above it going to the same place.

(If you asked for my usability feedback, though, I'd say "link it" - I'm pretty sure users would expect it to be linked, IMO.) :)

[lorax]

Danke one and all.