Typically, most classified sites share similar functions, template and site navigation but they don’t share the same name, logo and vision. However, some site may have more clout, panache and invariably user-base than the others and this may be due to their thrust, branding, functionality, drive and not to forget the site’s navigation. Site navigation is more about how you get your visitors to see more of your site asides the home page. The overall experience of a sites visitor, the amount of time they spend on a site and the conversion rate of a lead is based on the navigational experience.

I’ll quickly touch on Postwanga and Jiji’s navigational similarities. On first landing, both sites have their logos on the left top corner, on the right top corner are the registration/sign-in and/posting tabs. The applaudable action of having these logo’s where they are and having the key tabs of REGISTRATION, SIGN-IN and POST-FREE AD on the right is a good conversion tactics as users are accustomed to taking actions to the right on webpages than to the left. The next most visible similarities is the position of the navbar or navigation bar. The navigation bar is how you get into the main or interior of a website and this must be very visible, easy to locate and must be frontal, just the way it is projected in these two great classifieds.

Both Postwanga and Jiji share a very unique product display tile, these tiles are unique in that they are much and can display a good number of product from various categories, display the cost and can alternate from ad-to-ad from time-to-time. They aren’t static and they represent a consternation of alternate classified postings. At the bottom of both sites are key navigational tabs like that of Menu, About Us, Help, Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy, Support & Customer Service and Blog. The platforms social handles and payment options also exist at the bottom all of which is to not create a crowded and chocked-up main or top navigational bar.

Postwanga’s Navigational Advantage

Unlike Jiji, Postwanga.ng has no top banner and I believe this is to reduce the bounce rate by making it quicker and easier for users to see the navbar and other displayed product without wasting much time. Sometimes, banners could be distractive as an image of a beautiful female model could be tempting than attractive. Instead, Postwanga has in place a smaller square display slider that rotates products and ads, this in itself could be used to sun paid internal promotions, invariably giving more to the users by ensuring quicker visibility through paid listings.

Besides having the main navbar horizontally placed at the top of the main site page, Postwanga also have its categories sitting vertically still at the top and adjacent to the main navbar. Incredibly, this additional I find very useful as it helps me see the sub-categories in a more simplified way and give me options even if I often feel it’s a duplication, though a useful one. Postwanga main page ad displays are much richer in information as it helps you see information’s like (Image, cost, negotiability, product name, product location and condition) all at one view before clicking to find out more.

Jiji’s Navigational Advantage

Image watermarking is an astounding feature of Jiji, this feature is very great in the sense that helps dissuade internet thieves from stealing images on classified sites and re-suing them elsewhere or even in the same classified. The watermarking can be seen even from the main page, the navigational advantage of this is that quickly bounces off unreal users and allows those with fear of picture theft the confidence to stay on.

On the Jiji site, by just hovering over the categories, this quickly reveals the sub-categories and uniquely, this comes with a displayed ad. Jiji also helps you determine popular searches like:Hobbies - Art - Sport, Books & Games, Musical Instruments, CDs & DVDs, Babies & Kids, Children Clothing, Children Shoes, Children Furniture,Seeking Work, Animals & Pets, Dogs & Puppies, Cats & Kittens, Birds, Blackberry Phones, Samsung Phones, Apple iPhone, Tecno Phones,Toyota, Honda, Jewellery, Watches, Houses & flats For Rent,Houses & Flats For Sale,Hair Beauty,Bath & Body. All the listed have been determined using special algorithm to gauge how visitors request information on the site.