Navbar positioning left vs top

1. Should nav bar be left or right?
2. Where should I put nav bar?
3. Why is the navigation bar at the top?
4. Should a web site deviate from the standard horizontal navigation across the top or vertical navigation down the left side?

Should nav bar be left or right?

We know from eyetracking studies that attention leans left on websites: users look at the left half of the screen 80% of the time. The real estate on the left side of the screen is valuable, and placing your navigation there makes it likely to be noticed and scanned by your users.

Where should I put nav bar?

The navbar should always be at the top of the viewport.

Why is the navigation bar at the top?

The purpose of a navigation bar is to help your user browse through your website effortlessly. A navigation bar is usually placed at the top of your website. On a mobile phone, the navigation bar is usually placed on your website's top left and looks like a hamburger or, as typically referred to – a hamburger button.

Should a web site deviate from the standard horizontal navigation across the top or vertical navigation down the left side?

Mistake #1: Non-Standard Style

Visitors expect to find horizontal navigation across the top or vertical navigation down the left side. Putting your navigation in standard places makes your site easier to use. That means a lower bounce rate, more pages per visit and higher conversions.