Information Architecture
Mapping the journey, for the visitor's goals and yours
If you've ever been lost in a maze or cornfield, you'll know the sheer frustration of wandering around at random, wondering where you took the wrong turn. It's not a fun experience! And there's an online equivalent, when a website throws you off course or leaves you stranded. It's just as annoying!
That's why Information Architecture is such a vital part of what we do. It's all about eliminating that sense of confusion, by giving visitors a clear, sensible path to the content they need. That means placing critical info where the eye falls on the screen... prompting action at every turn, so they'll never reach a dead end... dividing content into logical segments, so they find their way from page to page.
Every visitor will set their own route... but you can still use signposts!
When we design your website, Information Architecture is one of our top priorities. It's a collaborative process, and it typically runs along these lines:
- Questions: getting to know you, your organization, your customers and their expectations
- Goals: setting a benchmark, based on whatever you want (or need) to achieve
- Content: listing the main info headings and functionality
- Navigation: dividing pages into usable, linear sections
- Layout: defining what goes where, with the end goal always in mind
- Mock-up: creating a finished look and feel. Ready for feedback...
Our mantra is, a pretty site that's poorly organised can't succeed. So when we design websites, we're creating experiences... not pictures!
We'll tell you more when you get in touch:
Ask us about Information Architecture
By the way... we really hope you made it safely out of the cornfield!
