Web Site Architecture
The architecture of a Web site reflects how information is organized
and how your visitors will be able to navigate your site. A Web
site is like a tree with many interlocking branches, which you can
get to, from the main trunk or another branch, in a nonlinear way.
This allows visitors freedom to explore the site in a way appropriate
for their needs.
What types of information do you think your visitors will be looking
for? The answer to this question will help you to identify the types
of information to include on your site and to establish titles and
headings. This will also assist you in determining how the information
will flow on your site.
You may want to do an informal survey of students, staff, and faculty;
to ask what kind of information they would look for on your site.
You may also want to review sites that are similar to the one you
are creating for additional topics.
It is highly recommended that you establish your architecture BEFORE
you begin to develop the Web site. To establish your Web site architecture:
- Consider what kind of information your Web site visitors will
be seeking and what information you want them to find. Then list
the types of information you plan to include on your Web site.
Small Post-it Notes and a large poster board or index cards can
be helpful for this process. Write one idea or topic per note.
- Next, cluster similar types of information together. Review
the clusters and create a title for each "group" on
a separate sticky note.
- Reconsider the wording of each category. Use titles that clearly
and briefly describe what kind of information your visitors will
expect to find under these titles. Short titles allow visitors
to scan them quickly.
Organize related information into small logical units rather than
creating pages with scrolling text that goes to infinity and beyond.
Generally a Web page that prints on 3 pages or less is an appropriate
size, however this is not a firm rule.
Here is an architecture example:
For more ideas of what kind of information to include on your site,
visit similar sites (to the type you are creating) on the World
Wide Web.
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