Information Architecture: 6 Information Architecture Principles

Information architecture for the World Wide Web is the science of website usability that considers the accessibility of content for digital products. Good information architecture evaluates the findability of content and the layout of information on the homepage and subsequent pages.

Information architecture favors user-centered design and prioritizes search systems to address user needs. Content labeling and metadata, as part of pages’ HTML and design processes on the back end, help guide users to the right search results via SERPs.

Information architecture and UX design both improve the user experience. UX design (short for user experience design) is the process by which a company designs every aspect of the customer journey, including hearing about the company, buying the product, and using the product.

People often use the term “UX design” interchangeably with “UI design” (short for user interface design) though they serve different purposes. UI design is a subset of UX design that focuses primarily on aesthetics and visual design of the customer’s experience.

Information architecture functions as a subsection of UX design. It specifically concerns the hierarchy of information on a webpage, how easily users can find specific pages, and the classification of content so users can discover look-alike products.

Information architecture is essential for increasing customer satisfaction and system ease of use. It has many real-world applications—for example, clear navigation systems make it simpler for customers to find products, which can increase sales and streamline e-commerce.

Visual designers’ careful web development can also better attract a target audience through keywords and search engine optimization. The goal is to draw a user to the site and propel further user research as visitors move from page to page. Engagement is vital to stakeholders since the longer someone stays on the website, the more likely they will convert to a sale.

When building online content, designers should consider the following design principles and best practices:

1. 1. Accessible information: Some users will find your website through shared links or by searching for specific keywords that align with a specific webpage. It is essential to make your site accessible and clear no matter where someone enters it.
2. 2. Clear structure: The user interface should be comprehensive and prioritize the needs of multiple personas. Create new websites using preexisting structures with successful templates that help guide the visitor’s journey.
3. 3. Easy-to-find content: A search bar should be easy for users to locate, and keywords or author titles should efficiently reveal the desired content for users.
4. 4. Flexible template: Ensure your website is scalable. Content will continue to grow and evolve, so your website must be adaptable to changing needs and information types.
5. 5. Helpful sitemaps: Websites require sitemaps to provide information about the site's pages, videos, and other content and files. Search engines will crawl these pages to direct searchers to the most relevant results.
6. 6. Space to explore: Designers should only show users what they need to see. Allow users to explore further using buttons, links, and features without overcrowding each page of the site.

There are a few steps designers and information architects can take to streamline searchability and webpage navigation. Consider the following methods:

1. 1. Build wireframes. Start by creating these helpful diagrams that are easy-to-interpret shapes and lines representing a website’s structure. This architectural blueprint maps out navigation and shows how users will move through a product or site before designers build it. Wireframing is a crucial part of eventual beta testing because you can quickly redraw the diagrams to pivot in new directions based on feedback.
2. 2. Conduct a content audit. Take stock of your deliverables and how your information systems categorize them. To improve the interaction design, audit your content to classify articles or products with tags, so visitors can easily move between pages. Users will understand this taxonomy and then rely on its rules to discover the content they want.
3. 3. Perform usability tests. Have multiple employees practice card sorting of prototype pages. See how each person classifies similar pages. Discuss the tags and where discrepancies arose to smooth out user confusion.
4. 4. Request user feedback. Beta test your website layout and content categorization by inviting fresh users from your target market. See how well they can navigate your site and pay close attention to their feedback.

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