0%
sighlighted scribble sircled

Information Architecture (IA): The Unsung Hero of User Experience

November 06, 2019

icon-expand icon-expand

When we provide insights and opportunities to potential clients on their websites, included in that list are nearly always opportunities on their information architecture (IA).

Information architecture is the structure of the pages on your website. It maps out what’s in your global navigation, what pages live under those pages, how deep your website structure is, etc. It’s the first thing we look at when evaluating an existing website or starting a new one.

Why are there nearly always improvements to IA? I can only guess it’s because it’s something companies believe they can DIY. Don’t be fooled! The same reason we test websites is the same reason we don’t recommend you DIY your IA - you are not your target audience. You are too close to your products, your inner workings and your legacy infrastructure to create or evaluate your IA.

A good IA is the difference between a seamless user experience and a klugey one.

So how do you know if yours is good or bad? Test it!

Car sorting is a common method for evaluating your IA. You can conduct an open card sort where people are asked to organize topics into categories of their own choice or closed sorting when you select the categories and people place the topics inside those categories. Card sorting can be done in real life with post-it notes or cards or online.

Usability testing is a great way to test if people are able to find content and accomplish common tasks on your website. It’s a great way to uncover issues within your IA.

Learn more about our usability testing capabilities.

Shay Ruggles

As Director of UX of Gravity Shay Ruggles ensures Gravity is creating compelling user experiences that balance user intent, client goals and site performance.

Latest Blogs

icon blog-grid

Could an icon be right for your brand?

Read Post
Read post
icon blog-grid

There’s a reason the history books aren’t full of famous rule followers

Read Post
Read post
highlight highlight

STOP MARKETING TO THE MASSES

.

This e-mail was sent from Gravity Global (https://www.gravityglobal.com/)

Blog Home
What's in a Name? One Way to Look at Organizing Your Brand Messaging Structure
Why LATINX Consumers Can Future-Proof Your Brand and Save the American Economy