Content is King: Information Architecture

(Page 1 of 5 )

A web site's content does not exist in a vacuum. You need to have the right content to interest your target audience, but you also need to have your site set up so that it's easy to find and very obvious as to what your site is all about. This means both the search engines and your visitors will find it easily. Keep reading to learn how to make this work.

The Site Message

Information architecture goes hand in hand with a solid graphic design. They are like peas in a pod. The information must be grafted carefully onto the graphics used on the site as one cannot exist without the other; it's the flesh on the bones so to speak. Some questions that need to be answered include who comprises the target audience, how much time needs to be spent planning the content and how the site will be structured.

The foremost plan should be for a site that is well-balanced between plain static consistency and a lavish design. It should feature clear navigation. When visitors come to a web site, how long they remain interested depends on:

• Their sense of place.
• Knowing where they are on the site.
• Knowing where they are going.

Good organizational structure creates this normalized standard. Creative visual design enables users to become familiar with how to navigate the site. For this article, I shall use a fictional YouTube style site as an example. I am not explaining how to create such a site, just using the site idea as a frame of reference at points in this article.

The intention is to create a site that allows filmmakers to host movies and also read information on the movie industry. For example, a site showcasing movies must inform users immediately that it is a movie hosting site with lots of content relating to the movie production industry. Also, the site would be aimed at filmmakers and those who just love watching movies.

This presents two target audiences and the content needs to interest both targets to succeed. The site could mix movie production tutorials with movie reviews as one example here. No matter what the site theme covers, however the content is planned, it should never stray away from the focus of the site. This needs to be clearly evident upon visiting the home page. This becomes the site message, which must be clear.

Next: Know the Site Goals >>
 

More Choosing Keywords Articles
More By Stephen Davies

Comments On: Content is King: Information Architecture

· I look forward to feedback on the article. Hope it helps all in your content editing...    · Our company has a download page for support (manuals, drivers and so on) How do I...    · What is the URL of your web site? Its all about keyword density and keyword...   >>> Post your comment now!