13 August 2008
With today’s websites being so large and only growing as time goes on, how it that we should look to structure information and content?

We have all been there, becoming more and more frustrated with not being able to find the information that we are looking for while navigating through a website. Today’s websites are bigger, more complex and more valuable than before and their users are busier and less forgiving. The need for a way to control websites content has emerged in order to keep users happy and keep them returning to a website time and time again with the knowledge of knowing they will find what they are looking for.


Website Designers, information architects and website managers are required to work with large amounts of information and make frequent changes to websites, which can often get out of control. After time some web sites come to look like a fast growing and poorly planned city with roads everywhere that are impossible to navigate and find that pub that you are looking for!


By applying the Information Architecture principles, the aim is to build well maintainable websites that are easy to navigate and become more appealing to users.


Information Architecture Principles:


1 - Accurately label websites content with titles, headings and sub headings.

2 - Develop a strong site hierarchy that is meaningful to its users and that will minimise the need for redevelopment of a website in the future.

3- Create navigation systems that allow users to move through the site without getting lost or frustrated.

4 - Develop s strong, cohesive vision for your site that makes it both distinctive and usable.

5 - Organise a website in a way that supports both searching for specific items and casual browsing

6 - Implement an effective search feature that brings meaningful results to users.