In order to offer the user new choices, I often show the same links in the main content are that are also available in the left-hand navigation tree.
It looks more or less like this:
NAVIGATION MAIN CONTENT
Link 1 Hello,
Link 2 please choose between Link 1 and 2
Link 3 or Link 3.
This way, I keep the user interactions focused on the main content area while the Left-Hand-Navigation Block serves as orientation for the hierarchical positioning of the pages.
We thought about whether it is okay to keep the user's attention on the main content or whether we can let him search for navigation options in the left column himself.
a possible alternative could look like this:
NAVIGATION MAIN CONTENT
Link 1 Hello,
Link 2 here is some featured content which is not showing any
Link 3 link or maybe just the featured one: link 3
Which one do you prefer ux-wise? And why?