U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Communication Standards and Guidelines

Navigation and Common Terms

All EERE Web sites are required to:

• Use the EERE-approved common navigational structure
• Give similar types of content common navigational labels.

This common navigation structure and labeling system has been developed so that users who learn to navigate one of our sites can find information quickly and easily on all EERE sites.

However, it is also designed to be flexible, so Web site writers and information architects have the ability to present content in a way that makes sense for their target audiences.

Below you'll find information on how the EERE navigational structure works, and on the process for selecting your navigational labels:

• Navigation Overview

  Overview of the different types of navigation used for EERE sites

• Top Navigation

  Information on how to use top, or "site-wide" navigation

• Left Navigation

  Information on how to use left, or "local" navigation

• Right Navigation

  Information on how to use right, or "feature" navigation

• Site Utilities

  Information on how to use site utilities (search, site maps)

• Footer Navigation

  Information on the formatting and required elements for footers on EERE Web sites

• Library of Approved Navigation Labels

  Process for choosing your navigation labels when developing a new EERE site