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Adding Custom Navigation Links

Your help documentation is an important part of your site, but sometimes you'll want to add links to other places. HelpDocs makes it easy to add custom navigation links to the header.

Taylor
Updated by Taylor
2 min read
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A well-designed Knowledge Base isn't just about great content, it's also about intuitive navigation. Adding custom navigation links helps visitors move seamlessly between your help documentation and other important resources 🧭

HelpDocs makes it super simple to enhance your Knowledge Base with custom navigation links that connect to your homepage, blog, product pages, or even direct email contacts.

HelpDocs support page showing search bar, popular articles, and category links.
Strategic navigation links can significantly improve user experience by providing clear pathways to essential resources outside your Knowledge Base.
The Navigation section of Customize listing three nav items with their titles and URLs, and an Add Nav Item button
  1. Head to Settings > Customize (or click here)
  2. Open the Navigation section and click Add Nav Item
  3. Add a title and a URL
  4. Hit Publish and confirm. If your plan doesn't include .dev, the button says Save instead

To change the order of your links, drag them by the handle next to the title.

If your docs are multilingual, each language has its own separate navigation links, so a link you add in one language won't appear in another. Switch language, then add them for that language in Settings > Languages > Brand text.

To create an email navigation link like a Contact, simply use "mailto:" before the email address in the URL field. For example: mailto:support@yourcompany.com

Navigation links are also a handy place to link to your Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. On V5 and V4 templates, your links show in both the header and the footer. On older templates, they show in the header only.

Best Practices for Custom Navigation

Effective navigation enhances the usability of your Knowledge Base. Here are some tips to make the most of your custom navigation links:

  • Keep it minimal: too many navigation items can overwhelm users
  • Use clear, concise labels: visitors should immediately understand where the link leads
  • Prioritize important destinations: place your most valuable links where they're easily visible
  • Maintain consistency: use similar naming conventions across your navigation
  • Consider mobile users: ensure navigation works well on smaller screens
Avoid using generic labels like "Click Here" for navigation items. Instead, use descriptive text that explains where the link leads.

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