Information architecture (IA) is the website’s backbone, while navigation refers to the elements that help users reach specific information. Think of it like navigating a shopping mall – the mall’s layout is the IA, while the directory and signs help you navigate to the stores you want to visit.
What is website information architecture
What is website information architectureIA is not visible in the on-screen user interface but informs it, allowing users to find what they need easily. When creating a website, it’s important to organize the information in a clear and user-friendly way. This process is called information architecture. It involves a few different steps, including:
- Content inventory: Looking at all the content on the website to see what’s there
- Content audit: Evaluating the content to make sure it’s useful, accurate, and effective
- Information grouping: Grouping the content in a way that makes sense for users
- Taxonomy development: Creating a system for naming things consistently across the website
- Descriptive information creation: Adding extra information to help users find what they’re looking for
Image source: https://www.embarccollective.com/website-sitemap/
This site map consists of three types of nodes: blue nodes, which represent 1st-tier information objects, yellow nodes, which represent 2nd-tier objects, and white nodes, which represent 3rd-tier objects. Each node’s children are placed underneath it for ease of navigation and organization.
What is website navigation?
On the other hand, navigation is the collection of user interface components that help users find information and take desirable actions. Navigation components include global navigation, local navigation, utility navigation, breadcrumbs, filters, facets, related links, footers, and fat footers. For each component, decisions must be made on its usage priority, placement, and pattern.
Here are a few examples of navigation components: 1) utility navigation; 2) global navigation; 3) local navigation; and 4) fat footer. (www.amazon.com)
Relationship between information architecture and navigation
Both IA and navigation are crucial to providing a great user experience. If navigation is not designed to accommodate the full scope of content and functionality of a website, it can be very costly. For instance, imagine a mall with a directory that doesn’t list all the stores. It would be frustrating to wander around looking for a store that isn’t listed.
Therefore, it’s essential to define the IA before designing navigation. This way, designers can ensure that navigation components are appropriately designed to support the full scope of content and functionality. This is like planning your route through a mall before you start shopping. You wouldn’t want to wander, forgetting which stores you visited and which ones you need to visit.
Define the information architecture before designing the navigation
In conclusion, IA and navigation are the backbone of a website, and both are essential to providing a great user experience. IA ensures that the content and functionality are organized and structured, while navigation helps users quickly find the information they need. By understanding the difference between IA and navigation, designers can create websites that users will love, just like a well-planned mall layout ensures a great shopping experience. Reach out to Eclipse Graphics to apply these tips from the article for the success of your website IA.
Source: Cardello, J. (2014) The Difference Between Information Architecture (IA) and Navigation. Available at: https://www.nngroup.com/articles/ia-vs-navigation/ (Accessed: 26 Sep. 23).
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