This article will explain the importance of website structure for designers and how to create a effective website structure.
Firstly, Website structure helps the user to find the information that the users are looking for. The website structure shows that how a website content and pages are connected together. It arranges web pages and make relationship among the web pages. The website structure helps the users to understand the content present in the website. The different pages of the website are interconnected and linked with each other through links. Linking pages will not only connect the different site pages but it will also help the visitors and crawlers to discover all the content with the help of link across your site pages.
Importance of website structure
- It enhances the SEO ranking / performance: If you link a particular page many times then google will understand that the content is important and you website will increase its ranking.
- It also enhances the user experience: The easier your content is the higher the chance is that the visitors will become your customer or client.
- It also improves the experience of the crawlers by interlinking the pages which makes the crawlers easier to discover the important pages of the site.
Good structure must contain:
- The content should be Good and appropriate.
- The content must be in a hierarchical manner.
- The most important pages of the website must be linked o highlighted to other website pages.
- You should use flat website architecture.
- The content of the site must be different from other site content.
How to make a structure of the website:
- Create the link between each pages on the website.
- You should insure that in less amount of time the user can access your pages.
- Create the navigation menu containing all the required details.
- Use sitemaps of HTML and XML to make the website structure.
- Improve the website Uniform Resource Locator (URL).
- You should use breadcrumbs to make website structure.
Types of website structure:
There are 4 types of website structure which consist of hierarchical structure, sequential structure, matrix structure as well as database structure. Each of them have their own unique features. To build a website the specific structure must be needed which fulfill the purpose of the website. If you want to get detailed and practical use of these structure then checkout this Documentation.
- Hierarchical structure
- Sequential structure
- Matrix structure
- Database structure
Hierarchical
The hierarchical structure is also known as the tree structure. The hierarchical structure is the most common site structure which is being used. It is a top down approach in which the hierarchy flows from top to bottom level. However, This website structure is best suited for them who have large amount of information to store in different web pages. This site structure consist of home page, sub pages and child pages. The top level consist home page then the middle level contains the sub pages and further the sub pages are divided into child pages which are inter connected with each other. It uses internal links to connect the child pages, sub pages as well as home page to make hierarchy of the page. This structure is used on everything from online business websites which is also known as e-commerce websites to collection of companies.
Sequential
Sometimes the sequential structure is also known as linear structure or linear model. It does not contain too many pages. This website structure takes user through step- by- step tour. A sequential structure moves you from a logical path of action. This model have home page and sub pages which interact with user which have relevant call to action for users. Small businesses which have small amount of information or content to store use this sequential website structure because it simplifies the decision making process.
Matrix
The matrix structure is also known as webbed model. The matrix structure takes the form of network of pages. This model does not have any predefined structure so it makes it easy for users to have the accurate and best experience according to their need. The user are free and have no restriction regarding browsing. This structure is mainly used in large websites in which the webpages are interconnected which allows user to search and gather information freely. Through internal linking the user can find what they are looking for in few or less time. However, This model is best suited for e-commerce websites like amazon, flipkart.
Database
The database structure is also known as dynamic website structure. This database model is just opposite of hierarchical structure. It follows bottom up approach it also uses metadata to define the structure of the website. This model helps the user to create their own website according to their need You can customize this model or website as it relies on user. Online forms, news websites, social media, google, bank websites, e-commerce platforms which have large amount of data stored.
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