
How to Compare Dropdowns vs Index Pages in Version 7.0: A Complete Guide
A dropdown menu and index page serve different purposes in website navigation and content organization. Here's what you need to know about each option:
Dropdowns Overview
Dropdowns create hierarchical navigation menus to organize related pages. They:
- Group related content under a single navigation item
- Reduce navigation clutter
- Are available in all templates
- Function purely as organizational tools
- Cannot be nested within other dropdowns

Dark blue navigation bar
Index Pages Overview
Index pages aggregate and display content from multiple pages in one location. They:
- Create dedicated landing pages
- Display content in grids, stacked sections, or slideshows
- Are only available in select templates
- Can serve as homepages
- Cannot be nested within dropdowns or other index pages

Collage of winter scenery
Key Differences:
- Dropdowns only organize navigation; index pages create actual content pages
- Template availability differs between the two options
- Index pages offer more layout and design flexibility
- Dropdowns focus on improving site navigation
- Index pages excel at content presentation and curation
Best Practices:
- Use dropdowns to simplify navigation and group related pages
- Use index pages when you need a dedicated landing page to showcase multiple content pieces
- Consider your template's capabilities when choosing between options
- Test both to determine which better serves your site's needs
- Remember that template changes may convert one type to another
Note: You cannot combine these features by placing index pages within dropdowns or vice versa.
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