When we talk about website structure, we are referring to the hierarchical structuring of data. When creating a website, it is recommended to develop a list of contents and organize these contents into categories in order to provide visitors with a logical, intuitive, and straightforward navigation with a set of menus and submenus.
There’s no denying that the structure of a website is critical to the success of a web design project. This document should be created for each website project; regrettably, most web project terms of reference do not address the website structure. Therefore, this article will cover everything you need to know about website’s pages and sections.
Website Structure Versus Navigation
We must be cautious not to assume that the structure and navigation of a website are the same. These two are pretty near to one other, but they are separate. A website structure is a document that graphically depicts the entire picture of a website, including all of the pages that will be included in the website, whereas navigation is merely the links between these pages. After website navigation was created and authorized, navigation went into action.
Which Software to Use in Order to Produce the Website Structure Then?
This figure may, of course, be created using PowerPoint. The key challenge here would be to link the pieces in an effective way. As a result, we may utilize the open-source program Xmind, which is user-pleasant, free, and multiplatform (Windows, Mac OS X, Linux). Unfortunately, there are some limitations to using this program, such as the need to create a free account in order to obtain the software and the fact that it cannot export in pdf format right away and must be handled by PDF Creator for conversion.
Do not underestimate the significance of devoting time to the creation of a website structure.
If the website structure was created correctly, containing all required aspects, the remainder of the development would go more smoothly because this analytical portion was accomplished prior to website creation. When a user views a website, he creates mental models to grasp the relationships between themes, sections, or pages. The ability of the correct website information architecture to meet the user’s expectations will be the key to success. If designers deceive consumers using a structure that is not reasonable, customary, or uses various or confusing language to express site specifications, users will believe that the site’s offering is unclear.
The Browse Functionality of Your Site
A well-organized website design is determined by the balance that exists between the main menu or welcome page of the website and the various other pages that can be considered as other individual contents pages. Designers must exercise caution when it comes to unrelated information and menu schemes that are either too simple or too deep due to the use of information beneath too many layers of menus. Users may be irritated by having to travel that far to obtain information that they could have with a single click.
Site Search as Navigation
Websites with a few dozen pages are usually expected to have web search capabilities for finding information. If visitors are aware that a website may supply information through search choices, they are also aware that the search may not deliver the correct answer to their inquiry, but they are certain that the search option is crucial for those sites that are not widely viewed.
Site Structural Themes
To design a website, employ the three key structures: sequences, hierarchies, and webs.
Sequences
Sequences are used to organize information in a recognizable manner. Sequences are used to create books, periodicals, and other printed goods. Web sequence order is commonly used for training or teaching sites. This is because learners are supposed to develop through a sequential collection of content, and the available links serve as the linear navigation path.