The company has developed a platform that allows users to securely log in to websites and apps without sharing their personal data with the service providers.

Instead, the user’s data is stored on a secure, decentralized network that is controlled by the user.

This means that users can control who has access to their data and how it is used.

Spruce is currently working on integrating its platform with major web browsers and plans to launch a beta version in early 2019.

How does Spruce work?

Spruce’s platform works by allowing users to log in to websites and apps with a Spruce account.

When a user logs in with their Spruce account, they are given a unique ID that is used to identify them on the decentralized network.

The user’s data is then stored on the decentralized network, which is controlled by the user.

This means that the user has complete control over who has access to their data and how it is used.

What are the benefits of using Spruce?

There are many benefits of using Spruce, including:

1. Users have complete control over their data.

2. Users can login to websites and apps without sharing their personal data.

3. The platform is secure and decentralized.

4. The platform is easy to use.

5. Spruce is free to use.

How do I get started with Spruce?

To get started with Spruce, simply sign up for an account at https://spruce.sh/. Once you have an account, you can begin using the platform to log in to websites and apps or store data securely on the decentralized network.

What is a decentralized startup?

A decentralized startup is a company that is structured around a decentralized network rather than a centralized authority. Decentralized startups are often built on blockchain technology and aim to provide more secure and transparent solutions to traditional problems.

There are many more decentralized startups emerging every day, as the technology continues to evolve. These companies are rethinking traditional business models and paving the way for a more open and transparent future.

Why is it crucial to control sign-in data?

As our lives move increasingly online, our personal data is becoming more and more valuable. Hackers are able to exploit this data for financial gain or to simply cause chaos. Thus, it’s becoming increasingly important for companies to protect our data.

One way to do this is by controlling sign-in data. By requiring users to authenticate their identity before accessing sensitive information, companies can make it much harder for hackers to gain access. This added layer of security can help protect our data from being compromised.

What is two-factor authentication?

You can add an additional degree of security to your account protection by using two-factor authentication (2FA). You will be required to input an extra code when signing in if 2FA is enabled. Typically, an app on your phone, like Google Authenticator, generates this code.

2FA adds an extra step to the login process, making it more difficult for hackers to gain access to your account. Even if they have your username and password, they will not be able to log in unless they also have your 2FA code.

How can I set up two-factor authentication?

Most online services that offer 2FA will give you instructions on how to set it up. Usually, you will need to download a 2FA app, such as Google Authenticator, and then add your account to the app. Once you have done this, you will be given a code that you will need to enter every time you log in.

What are the benefits of two-factor authentication?

2FA provides an extra layer of security for your online accounts. Even if someone manages to steal your username and password, they will not be able to log in unless they also have your 2FA code. This makes it much more difficult for hackers to gain access to your account and helps to protect your data.

Are there any downsides to using two-factor authentication?

The main downside of using 2FA is that it can be slightly inconvenient. Every time you want to log in, you will need to open your 2FA app and enter the code. This can add an extra step to the login process and may be frustrating if you just want to quickly log in and check something.

Conclusion

Sign-up data is collected when the user enters into an agreement with a site or service to create an account. The data collected may include the username, email address, and password chosen by the user. In some cases, additional information such as addresses, phone numbers, and credit card numbers are also collected.

The purpose of collecting sign-up data is to allow the site or service to identify the user and verify that they are who they say they are. This data is also used to contact the user if there are any issues with their account or if their account is compromised.

There are a few risks associated with sign-up data. The most significant risk is that this data can be leaked in a data breach. If sign-up data is leaked, it can be used to steal the user’s identity or to access their account on the site or service.

To protect sign-up data, it is important to use a strong password and to never reuse passwords across different sites and services. Additionally, two-factor authentication (2FA) can be used to add an extra layer of security to accounts.

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An internet user in the United States of America visits over 130 websites per day on average and spends less than 50 milliseconds to form an opinion. How to make sure that it will be your pages and their opinion will be good? While the visits are in the hands of your marketing and SEO experts, you can make a great impression on users by boosting your design efforts.

Website navigation design is a part of the website redesign strategy, and navigation is all about the journey of the user through your pages. We will share our experience and expertise to offer you a wide perspective on this subject.

“Design creates culture. Culture shapes values. Values determine the future.”

— Robert L. Peters

Essential types of navigation

So, navigation means the way your users will locate the necessary information via the navigation menus. It may include the following types:

• meta navigation (everything placed on the top part of your page)
• primary navigation (elements located below meta navigation)
• secondary and tertiary navigation (elements like drop-down menus, horizontal listing, or sidebar)
• footer navigation (everything placed at the very bottom of a page)

In most cases, you will use almost all types of website navigation, in one way or another, to achieve your results. 

The importance of having fine-tuned website navigation structures

The benefits of a great design are many, and, most importantly, the design adds to the credibility of your entire business. There are multiple key elements to an outstanding website navigation design, and they include 

• overall consistency
• clear and defined hierarchy between all website navigation bars
• mental model of the users
• simplicity of comprehension
• common elements and patterns of the user interface
• experience without friction

The most popular website navigation menu types

While we will discuss multiple elements of navigation structure of a website below, keep in mind that in a real-world product it is always a combination of different elements that make it all work. 

Breadcrumbs

This is considered to be a secondary navigation system that shows a location of a user. Breadcrumbs are the favorite choice for e-commerce websites because they allow deep hierarchical subcategorization. Here is an example:

The Hamburger menu

While being more popular on mobile apps, the hamburger menu is still among the most popular website navigation bar designs among available options. This menu looks like three bars that resemble a hamburger. When you click or tap on them, other options for destinations pop up and users can move to other places. The primary purpose of their usage is to save space, however, multiple studies showed that they are not as effective as they are perceived to be, due to their lack of discoverability. Here is how the hamburger menu might look:

Tabs

This type also has more implementation cases in the mobile realm. This navigation type is built to save vertical space. The information is displayed across tabs here, and the tabs are usually on the top or the bottom of the screen. Here is an example: 

Vertical navigation

Typically placed on the left side, vertical menus take a big part of a screen and include links with multiple levels of website navigation. It is a great way to add up an enormous amount of options using a reasonable amount of space. Here is an example of vertical navigation: 

CTA buttons

Finally, we should mention one of the website menu types that can make all the difference in your business results. An accurately placed CTA (Call-to-action) button can drive your revenues by getting more customers. Here is an example of the design: 

Website navigation best practices in 2022

With types of menus on websites out of our way, we can focus on some tips and best practices that will allow you to get more bang for your buck. What can make your top navigation bars, footers, or any other design elements more effective compared to your competition? These insights will help you figure it out!

Keep everything clear

You should make everything understandable and clear, and don’t make the user waste any second trying to understand what you meant in a particular part of the website. All labels must suit the directions that they are leading. If you make the experience confusing for the users, you will end up losing potential clients.  

Another important issue that should be addressed is keeping consistency across the entire design of your website. It will add up to the ease of comprehension for the visitors during their journey. 

You can leverage your creativity and invent something that hasn’t been done before, and try to stand out with your idea. However, in the website navigation design area it is an exception to the rule, and more often than not, keeping navigation simple will be key to your success.

Make your labels descriptive

Top-level navigation categories are a great place to inform your users what your website is all about and leverage SEO as well. If your business provides some kind of service, make sure to describe what those services are, mentioning as much detail as makes sense. The more informative your categories will be, the more intuitive experience your users will get. 

Align navigation design with user goals

First, you need to come up with the target groups with your marketing department. What are the focus groups of users that you are aiming for? What are the goals for them to visit your pages, and what value they can get? After figuring out what your target users might be interested in, try to design your navigation according to these suggestions. Your target users must be able to locate necessary pages in the shortest amount of time, see that your business is trustworthy, and be able to contact support services when needed. 

You can come up with different navigation scenarios for different focus groups and select the middle ground between them in your final navigation structure. 

Don’t ignore navigation cues

The navigation cues are helping users to understand where are they located at the moment. This element is also very helpful in creating a consistent navigation design that will become a delightful experience for your users. 

Have prototyping and testing phases

If you don’t skip a prototyping phase, you will be able to see which navigation designs work better than the others and will be able to make all necessary adjustments before the release of the final product. As for testing, having this phase in your process will help you save money in the long run. Such testing tools as Optimal Flow and HotJar will be very helpful in achieving flawless functionality. 

Ensure mobile responsiveness

Today, if your website doesn’t work properly on mobile devices, you are at risk of losing your business altogether. With a custom software development partner, you can cover this area before the development process even starts. However, if you choose a website builder instead of hiring a team of professionals, make sure that the platform supports mobile functionality as much as possible. 

Check all key navigation elements

The final tip for today will be to check that all navigation elements are in place. The most common mistakes include:

• Not make hyperlinks obvious and don’t highlight them with a color that will stand out
• Not striking a balance of adding elements to your header
• Not keeping sidebars separate
• Forgetting about footer links, and failing to get the most out of your navigation design

FAQ

What is navigation in website design?

This is the journey that users take while visiting your website. A good user experience in this area is achieved by the proper placement of multiple elements of your pages and ensuring the logical transitions between them. More often than not, the users won’t even notice the well-crafted design of the journey. However, when it is messed up, it could be a big challenge for your business in getting revenue from your website. 

How to plan website navigation?

It combines multiple elements and has different approaches to do it right. Every case is unique, so there is a one-size-fits-all recipe. It will be a good idea to contact a software development company with proven experience to help you, at least with consultation services if you have the necessary design and tech skills. 

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