Information architecture

Making a website easy-to-use requires the help of an information architect.

Information architecture is the process of organising and structuring the information and content of a website so that visitors can easily find and use it. This involves creating the sitemaps, navigation systems and wire frames that are the basis for graphic design, copywriting and development.

Planning the redesign or redevelopment of a website will be easier and more straightforward with clear information architecture.

What it involves:

• Analysis of the competition’s websites
• Requirement-gathering interviews and/or workshops
• Card-sorting and content-labelling exercises
• Iterative wire framing of pages, templates and functionality
• Site mapping
• User-testing of the proposed architecture and functionality

With only a small number of users testing a website (6-8) it is usually possible to catch 80% of usability issues.

Clear, visual documentation of your website project will help with the technical specification and communication so that it stands the best chance of being delivered on time and budget.