The hamburger menu is a web design choice that can polarize opinion. For some, the additional interaction cost caused by the hamburger menu is not made up for by the better use of space. While others would rather have the additional space a hamburger menu can provide. So, should you use a hamburger menu on your website? Well, ultimately, the decision is your own, but you should always do your research first. Here at Pumpkin Web Design Manchester, we are Manchester’s leading web design professionals. From Wigan to Southport, we work with companies across Manchester and the surrounding region to deliver high quality web design solutions that really get results. As a result, we have produced this guide to the advantages and disadvantages of the hamburger menu.
Should you use a hamburger menu on your website?
The hamburger menu is not a new web design feature. But it is fairly contentious. This menu takes its name from the shape of a burger, as it uses an icon to hide the menu behind. And this icon is made up of three horizontal lines, sitting on top of each other, just like this ☰. As a result, instead of always being on display, the navigation bar or menu is hidden behind this icon, to be revealed when clicked on.
There are advantages and disadvantages to using this system. And you will need to consider both sides before you can make an informed decision for your website, and your company.
What are the advantages of hamburger menus?
So, what are the advantages of using a hamburger menu? Well, there are several, including:
- User intuition- Because the hamburger menu is widely used, users automatically know what to expect and how to use it. Slide out or swipe menus that also hide the navigation bar, on the other hand, are relatively new and as such, users might not know how to use them.
- Save space- without the navigation bar taking up space across the top of the page, you will have more room for your visual effects and typography styles. As a result, you can put more thought into your design, and potentially see better results.
What are the disadvantages of hamburger menus?
You might be struggling to see the downside of the friendly hamburger menu, but there are some disadvantages to consider. These include:
- Increasing the interaction- potential customers that land on your website don’t want to browse through your site. They instead want to be directed to the information or product they need, quickly and easily. Preferably in as few steps as possible. adding in a button to click to open the menu can cost time, and interaction, and your users may not be willing to wait.
Balancing the pros and cons of the hamburger menu is a difficult choice for any web designer. For more information or advice, or for high quality, professional web design solutions, get in touch with the experts today, here at Pumpkin Web Design Manchester.