Navigation Change from JavaScript to ?

[incrediblehelp]

I am working with some clients that would like some new navigation recommendations. As most of us know Java based navigation is not very SEO friendly, yet many sites use it because of its great look/feel and usability. I am sure some of you out there have chosen to change from Java based navigation to something the search engines can crawl. Of course this new navigation would need to retain the same great look/feel and usability that the Java one had.

Any ideas on what to switch to? I have seen some DHTML menus that looks nice.

Examples of them would be great as well.

Thanks for the help.

[greeneagle]

incredible,

I have grown to prefer interactive CSS menu systems.

No flash issues, no images, easy changes site wide, no need for secondary textural links (they already are).

I am sure you are aware of them and the possibilities there, but some thread participants here may not be.

Here's the best starting point I know of if anyone wants to check out this method:

http://www.webmaster-toolkit.com/css...enerator.shtml

Ken

[JuniorOnline]

great Link - you saved me loads of time:)
thanks a lot

[incrediblehelp]

A List Apart has great info on this as well:

http://www.alistapart.com/articles/horizdropdowns

[twopooches]

Using text links along with graphical JS navigation and drop menus for navigation will ensure good indexing.
1. have a menu of text links at the bottom of the page for key areas of the site.
2. integrate text links throughout text when possible.
Along with better indexing it also helps with keyword weight on a page and relevancy.

[incrediblehelp]

Originally Posted by twopooches

1. have a menu of text links at the bottom of the page for key areas of the site.

I am trying avoid this and would rather have my standard navigation be the crawled links

Originally Posted by twopooches

2. integrate text links throughout text when possible.
Along with better indexing it also helps with keyword weight on a page and relevancy.

Yes I like doing this wiki style. I find it helps a lot.

[megahertz28]

I like the dhtml/css menu's at http://www.dynamicdrive.com/dynamicindex1/index.html
Some are more SE friendly than others but each one has an example with the code.

[colr]

FYI: Java and JavaScript are completly seperate things.
colr

[Paul B]

CSS and not only can you get a roll-over effects like JS, but you can also set your menu at the bottom of your mark up (HTML/XHTML page) so SE's see your keyword-rich text first.

If you take a look at my site (www.3wows.com) you can see the menu is at the top, then look at the code - it's at the bottom.

There is a problem with CSS menus and IE, where a blank appears for an instant on mouseover, but this can be worked round by making the background that appears near the color of the swapped image/color.

[SummitPK]

Here is an example of a traditional left column NavBar constructed using HTML, mouse rollover effects and CSS, and placed below the main content of the page purposefully to enrich the SEO ranking of the page: http://www.SummitPK.com

[Irishjim]

I'd think twice about using CSS to replace your nav system. Although it's a good idea on the surface, Google and the other search engines are now very wary of hidden text within CSS.

You could find yourself being slapped around by everyone out there for cloaking text within CSS.

Then there's the problem with using any navigation system as your ROR. A site map would be better with a ROR file created from it.

I know this seems like a hassle but it's like petting a puppy dog. You get to like it after awhile and the the puppy stays happy.

IrishJim

[incrediblehelp]

irishjim there is nothing wrong with any of the suggestions with using CSS for your navigation.

Hiding text with CSS is another story all together.