Resource hubs: navigation for guides, downloads and help

Key takeaways

A resource hub gathers guides, downloads, case studies and help in one place. It works when it is organised by the topics or tasks visitors care about, not by content type alone, offers a few filters and search once it grows, and links each resource to the related service. A hub that is only a long list by date becomes a dead end.

• Organise by topic or task first, content type second.
• Add filters and search once there are dozens of items.
• Feature the most useful resources, not only the newest.
• Link every resource to the related service.

What is a resource hub?

A resource hub is a section of a website that collects useful content, such as guides, templates, case studies, webinars and help articles, in one navigable place. It serves visitors researching a problem and existing customers looking for help, and it supports search visibility by connecting related content.

• How clear website navigation improves user experience
• Blog navigation: help readers find the next article

How should a hub be organised?

Organise by what visitors want to achieve, then let them narrow by type.

• Topics or tasks matching your services, such as 'Planning' or 'Costs'.
• Content type as a filter: guide, template, case study, video.
• Audience as a filter if you serve distinct groups.
• A featured set of the most useful resources.
• Search once the hub passes a few dozen items.

• Product filters and faceted navigation for small shops
• Search results pages: make site search find things

What should each resource link to?

Each resource should link to related resources on the same topic and to the service it relates to. A guide to planning permission should lead to the extensions service; a case study should lead to the service it describes. Without those links, the hub becomes a dead end for buyers.

• Website dead ends: pages that leave visitors nowhere to go

What about downloads?

Label downloads with file type and size, publish key content as web pages as well as PDFs, and do not hide useful resources behind forms unless the exchange is worth it to the visitor. Gated content cannot be read by search engines or AI tools.

Where should the hub sit in the main menu?

Usually towards the end of the main menu, labelled 'Guides', 'Resources' or 'Help', depending on what it holds. For a help centre aimed at existing customers, link it from the utility area or account area too. Vague labels such as 'Insights' tell visitors little.

• Menu labels: words visitors understand at a glance
• FAQ pages: when they help the journey and when they hide answers

What does this look like in practice?

A pattern we see: a firm's 'Resources' page lists 70 items newest first, mixing news, guides and case studies. Grouping by four topics, adding type filters and featuring five essential guides at the top lets visitors find the useful items, and links from each guide lead to the service.

• See client work
• Website Design & Development for UK businesses

Resource hub checklist

• Topics or tasks as the main grouping.
• Type and audience as filters.
• Featured essentials at the top.
• Search once the hub is large.
• Each resource linked to its service.
• Downloads labelled with type and size.

• Section navigation: help visitors move within a topic
• Website navigation terms explained: a plain glossary

Next step

Look at your resources page and check whether the five most useful items are visible without scrolling.