Information architecture (IA) refers to the structural design of your website. In practice, IA involves labeling your site and pages to create a user-friendly environment where visitors can easily find the information they are looking for. Here are some tips to help you create a better information architecture.
Get to Know Your Users
The first step to creating a successful information architecture is to understand your users and what they need. Who are they? What are their goals? What tasks do they need to accomplish on your site?
Conducting user research through surveys, interviews, and usability testing can provide valuable insights into your audience’s needs and preferences. Keeping the site visitor front and center during your IA design process ensures your structure meets or exceeds expectations.
Set Clear Goals
Don’t just start making adjustments to your information architecture. You need a clear objective before you alter a single page, menu, or label. Identify what’s wrong with your existing IA and make a list of those deficiencies.
You should also determine the purpose of your website. Each page has a unique use case. Landing pages are meant to drive conversions, whereas blogs are designed to educate users about your products or services. Structure your IA accordingly.
Use a Logical Structure
Have you ever visited a new website that seemed familiar? That’s because the designers used a logical flow and structure, which made it feel like you’ve been there before. You need to do the same.
Organizing your content in an intuitive manner will give everyone the confidence to browse your page and content. They can jump right in, find the information they need, and go on about their day.
For example, if you’re designing an e-commerce site, start with the main categories that people expect to find, such as “Men’s Clothing” and “Women’s Clothing.”
Keep the Navigation Screens Simple
Don’t overcomplicate things. Ensure that your navigation menus are straightforward and easy to use. Avoid overwhelming visitors with too many options.
Use drop-down menus to group related items together. This way, visitors don’t need to know your entire IA to navigate the site. They simply need to find the category or tab related to their search.
Put Content Above All Else
Identify the most important information that users need and make it easily accessible. This might include key services or products, frequently asked questions, and the page with your contact information.
Don’t stop there. Arrange the most popular categories of products or services in the prime locations of your site. For instance, if you are a plumber and leak repair is your most commonly asked-about service, put this page at the top of your site.
Label Everything
Maybe you don’t actually need to label everything. However, most aspects of your site, including menus, submenus, and pages, need clear and logical labels. If you aren’t sure if a component of your site needs a label, it probably does, so add one.
Clear labels take the guesswork out of browsing your content. Users can find what they need and take action, such as booking an appointment or making a purchase.
Rethink Your IA With Net Profit Marketing
The web development professionals at Net Profit Marketing can revamp your information architecture and turn your website into a converting machine. Contact us to book a consultation.
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