Dynamic Navigation

When NOT to Use Dynamic Navigation

Dynamic navigation is one of the most powerful features of Ajax and JavaScript based applications. This function provides the interactivity and usability not found in many programming languages even those geared towards the client side. If they are properly implemented, it can provide easy access to different parts of the webpage without dragging the application down.

On the other hand, there are situations wherein this technique in creating menus does not necessarily apply. Instead of helping the application, it might cause the inefficiency of the application.

Impermanent Navigation

When you are building an application with dynamic navigation tools, be sure that you can use the dynamic navigation in every webpage. If the navigation tool will not be found in every webpage, the reason for making your menus in client side coding is not worth it. Display the navigation tool in every webpage so that users would be able to access the said tool.

It goes without saying that the navigation tool should be the consistent menu found in the online application. The rest would refresh but the menu stays as the tool for surfing the webpage.

Possibility of JavaScript Being Switched Off

There are situations wherein JavaScript will just be switched off by users. Some are not aware on how to do this but others already have the capacity to switch off the functions at will. When this happens, your application will never be able to function.

If you perceive that your general users will switch off JavaScript, it is better to avoid dynamic navigation and concentrate on plain HTML. Accessibility is still the key factor of the online application. A simple HTML menu that perfectly works is way better than a JavaScript enabled navigation tool that does not work.

Browser Incompatibility

When a developer ignores the challenges of browser incompatibility, there is a big chance that the dynamic navigation tool will only work on a few browsers. The requirements of IE, Firefox and Opera are entirely different and they should be considered especially when the developer wants to increase the popularity of the application. Forcing users on another browser is not a way of getting the application more popular for general users.

This means developers should have the knowledge to breeze through browsers. It is an unfortunate fact for JavaScript but it is the only way to get the application readable in different browsers.

HTML Experience

There are times that an HTML based navigation tool could provide the same experience as JavaScript. For example, when you have a simple application that requires simple navigation through webpages, you do not need JavaScript to do that. In fact, a navigation tool may seem to be too intruding. A JavaScript tool could just further downgrade the accessibility of the application.

Although dynamic navigation could provide a function not known in other programming languages, it does not mean it has to be used in any occasion. In the end, accessibility and usability should still be considered before using dynamic navigation tools in the online application.