If your site isn't well organized, visitors will get frustrated and leave. The organization of a site is called Information Architecture (IA). Creating an intuitive IA is one of the most important exercises to ensure a site is user-friendly.
Throw out your organizational structure and explore how visitors actually use your site. Utilize free tools like Google Analytics to gain insight.
The easiest way to write out an IA is to use an outline:
- Each page should appear in a separate line.
- List all pages (even those you want to hide).
- Keep the navigation to only 2 levels deep.
- Consider what your current content is versus what you want it to be (if different).
- Indicate in BOLD if the page should be visible in navigation, or (HIDDEN) if a page should be hidden in navigation. See sample IA.
Sample IA Worksheet Attached Below
The Google Doc below contains a sample IA and may be used to create your own current site structure worksheet to assist with improving content and site reorganization. You can also use this sample for the site structure you submit with the form below.
Example: https://link.ou.edu/cms-ia-template
Information Architecture Form
This form will allow the web team to begin making recommendations for your site's IA. By submitting your current site's structure, you can begin to reorganize and refocus your site. Creating an intuitive IA is one of the most important exercises to ensure a site is user-friendly.
Website Information Architecture Form