I keep coming back to the tools I use. If you have not used Microsoft's Front Page don't do like I did at first. I went through the site and set up buttons an links throughout the entire site before I discovered how easy it was to use FP "Front Page" built in navigation. Oh yeah in case you are wondering I get no kick back from Microsoft or Macromedia but just really like their products. The good thing about the navigation in FP is it has a drag and drop capability. It automatically updates all of the links in the navigation through out your site. Below I have listed some of the basics of navigation that FP will not build in for you.

Clear and consistent The first and foremost aspect of navigation that keeps your visitors cheerful is clarity and consistency. Principal topic categories and important links should be on every page. It will be an added advantage if they are at same location and in the same sequence. It will be highly effective if visitors locate primary links on the page without scrolling. Be sure that navigation images are integrated in the site design without any fault. Use of the back button should be an alternative but not a necessity.  

Good Structure Another important aspect for effective navigation is good organization. Organize your site content in such a way that each topic and its respective sub-topic categories are clear and well defined. In case of large sites it will be more difficult to develop well-organized structure. If it is the case, consider making a flow chart.  Customarily, there is also important information, which should be linked to on every page, for example, contact information, an email ID, or an order page - information that should be just at a click. In addition to links to primary topics and important information, also link to sub-topics within each topic category are ever possible. 

Consider your visitor There may be visitors who surf with the images turned off. Others must use disability software. Don't overlook these visitors. If navigation interface of your site is composed of images, include alt tags. It will be more effective if text links are provided as an alternative of navigation. 

Labels Labels should carry great weight. Intelligent labels always create confusion. See that your labels are visible as well as meaningful. A visitor should not make a long search to find the information

Navigation Methods There are number of methods of guiding prospective visitors through your site. The most effective way of navigation is always found to be a combination of methods. A meaningful text link to an icon will help a visitor a lot. What form you navigation interface takes is not the case. Remember that what is clear to you is not clear to others. It is well known that new users are often unfamiliar with navigation methods.

Here is a list of navigation methods for your considerationText Text links will help a lot to those using disability software, surfing with images off, or new to the Internet. Be sure that text links are short and to the point. If you desire to add visual interest, try loading text links into table cells with a contrasting background color.

Site Map or Table of Contents A table of contents or site map will reduce number of frustrated visitors making a hasty exit considerably. Even a highly planned and well-organized navigation design may confuse visitor at times. This is very often found with large sites with multiple levels of sub-category topics.

GraphicsIcons Icons should always be meaningful. Always use alt tags and also support the concept with text as part of the image whenever possible.

Tabs Tabs are said to be a popular type of image map. Tabs allow visitor to navigate with ease between primary topic categories on your site. Tabs for navigation must be eye-catching.

Image Maps Image maps are used often on splash pages and can also be worked as powerful method navigation through the site. As only a small part of the image map usually changes on each page, it is often a good idea to cut up the large graphic into small pieces and splice the pieces back together in table cells. This will allow the browser to reload the unchanged image pieces from cache, thereby reducing page load times.

Flash If you feel it is appropriate for the site, you may add sound clues and visual interest to your interface with Macromedia Flash

ScriptsRollovers (Mouseovers) Recent studies show that mouseovers not only add visual interest to a Web page but also improved click-through rates by approximately 30%, even for experienced surfers. The most widespread techniques switches an 'on' image with an 'off' image in the same location when the cursor travels over the 'off' image. 

Pulldown Menu It will be just to have site map on every page if access to a Javascript pulldown menu is present. The menus are neither hard to amass, nor will take up much space. They provide a very effective form of navigation by allowing users to go directly to a category or even a page within a category.

Folder Menu Tree This helps your visitors to have an in-depth view of various sections of your site. The problem with this type of interface is, the folders may not always fit in with your site design. SearchVisitors will feel happy if they find a working search engine especially on large sites. A working search engine helps lots for a visitor to locate information quickly.