Could you guys give me a list of all types of website navigation systems currently in use...like menus/breadcrumbs, etc?
I very successfully use CORRECT frames-procedures for navigation on a site with many thousand files I would never change to any other system. whatever you finally choose - one cardinal rule is valid for all navigation: create a folder/sub-volder structure that makes sense form SEO point of view KEEP that structure ALL life never change folder names NOR filenames hence make a site plan - like a plan for life think about what you want to publish then create a folder structure with as few subfolders as possible - keep 1 max 2 sub-folders whenever possible name the folders with a keyword relevant to content same for all file-names make all files and sub-sections of your site accessible with as few clicks as possible directly from your domain-index furthermore keep mobile visitors ( blackberry, etc ) in mind avoid use of high tech gadgets ( java or flash ) keep all technically as simple as possible there still are masses of surfers without flash or java out on this planet or systems with compatibility issues. and all those mobile users who have to pay by KB rather than flat rates may leave a site if pages too large if your site is small you can also SSI a navigation bar ( or directly if site VERY small ) - just make sure you exclude that navigation bar from your adsense - else you have too many identical keywords across your pages !
I guess there are two basic navigation types - navigation at the top and navigation along the side of the page. These days navigation along the side seems a little old, but really it depends on what type of site you are creating. As above, make sure the navigation is on every page and is consistent, there is nothing worse then having pages that don't appear to be connected to the site at all.
Essentially there are Linear and Non-linear navigation. Linear - (next, back). Non-linear - you can jump to anywhere within your website or outside. you can use text links, icons, images, tabs, menu (file menu), leveled menu (including drop down menu), breadcrumbs, sitemap. Just make sure that your site navigation design is constant, intuitive and well structured.