Navigation is one of the most crucial aspects of a well-structured SharePoint site. A well-designed navigation system enhances user experience, improves content discoverability, and streamlines workflows.
In SharePoint Online, two primary navigation options are:
✔ Quick Launch Navigation – Site-level navigation (for individual sites)
✔ Hub Navigation – Cross-site navigation (for multiple related sites)
This guide will explain the differences, use cases, benefits, and best practices for Quick Launch and Hub Navigation.
1. What is Quick Launch Navigation?
Definition
Quick Launch Navigation refers to the left-hand menu in a SharePoint site that provides links to key site content such as document libraries, lists, and pages.
Key Features
✔ Site-Specific Navigation – Only applies to a single SharePoint site.
✔ Located on the Left Sidebar – Visible in Team Sites by default.
✔ Customizable – Admins can add, edit, or remove links.
✔ Supports Internal and External Links – Can include links to pages, libraries, lists, and external sites.
✔ Visible to All Users – Permissions control which content users can access.
Best For: Individual Team Sites where content and navigation are relevant only to a specific team or department.
Example of Quick Launch Navigation:
📌 Home
📌 Documents
📌 Tasks
📌 Calendar
📌 Company Policies
📌 Helpdesk Requests
Tip: Use Quick Launch Navigation when you want a simple, site-specific menu for users to access frequently used content.
2. What is Hub Navigation?
Definition
Hub Navigation is used in SharePoint Hub Sites to provide a unified navigation experience across multiple related sites. It enables consistent branding, shared search, and centralized navigation.
Key Features
✔ Cross-Site Navigation – Connects multiple sites within a Hub.
✔ Displayed at the Top of the Page – Unlike Quick Launch, it appears as a horizontal menu.
✔ Consistent Across All Associated Sites – Every site linked to a Hub inherits the same navigation.
✔ Supports Mega Menus – Enables dropdowns for improved organization.
✔ Better Search Experience – Searches across all associated Hub Sites.
Best For: Organizations managing multiple sites that need a consistent and scalable navigation structure.
Example of Hub Navigation:
Company Intranet (Hub Site)
├── HR Portal
├── IT Support
├── Marketing Resources
├── Finance Reports
├── Project Management
Tip: Use Hub Navigation for departments, divisions, or project sites that need a centralized navigation experience.
3. Key Differences Between Quick Launch and Hub Navigation
| Feature | Quick Launch Navigation | Hub Navigation |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Single Site | Multiple Sites within a Hub |
| Location | Left Sidebar | Top Horizontal Bar |
| Best For | Team Sites (internal use) | Intranets, Department Sites, Cross-Site Collaboration |
| Customization | Links to pages, lists, libraries | Links to other associated sites & external resources |
| Consistency | Unique for each site | Same across all Hub-associated sites |
| Search Scope | Site-Specific Search | Searches across all Hub Sites |
Tip: If you need simple site navigation, use Quick Launch. If you need organization-wide navigation, use Hub Navigation.
4. When to Use Quick Launch vs. Hub Navigation?
| Scenario | Use Quick Launch | Use Hub Navigation |
|---|---|---|
| A small team needs a simple site navigation menu. | Yes | No |
| Multiple departments need a unified navigation experience. | No | Yes |
| A single site requires links to its pages, lists, and documents. | Yes | No |
| A company intranet connects HR, IT, and Finance sites. | No | Yes |
| You need a mega menu with dropdowns for easier navigation. | No | Yes |
Tip: If a site stands alone, Quick Launch is enough. If multiple sites need a unified experience, Hub Navigation is better.
5. Best Practices for SharePoint Navigation
For Quick Launch Navigation
✔ Keep links minimal and relevant – Avoid clutter.
✔ Use logical groupings – Group related links together.
✔ Ensure easy access to key content – Add commonly used libraries and pages.
✔ Avoid deep nesting – Stick to 1-2 levels of links.
For Hub Navigation
✔ Plan a clear structure before creating a Hub Site.
✔ Use mega menus to organize links into categories.
✔ Keep navigation consistent across all associated sites.
✔ Use descriptive labels for navigation items.
✔ Regularly update links to reflect organizational changes.
Tip: No matter which navigation method you use, make sure users can easily find what they need.
6. Conclusion
Choosing the right navigation method depends on your site structure and organizational needs:
✔ Use Quick Launch Navigation for individual sites that need simple, site-level navigation.
✔ Use Hub Navigation for multiple related sites that require a unified experience.
Next Steps:
🔹 Assess your current SharePoint navigation – Is it easy to use?
🔹 Decide whether a Hub Site is needed – Will multiple sites benefit from a centralized structure?
🔹 Implement navigation best practices to improve user experience.
By following these guidelines, you can enhance usability, improve searchability, and create a seamless SharePoint navigation experience.