If your site appears like a labyrinth of pages and interlinks and visitors can’t find their way through, perhaps they are never going to return. Sadly disappointing!
This is high time to structure your website. No chaos! You will get every tip here to streamline business.
Website structure is the complete layout including navigational links, pages, header, footer, images as main parts. An easy navigation means a user can conveniently cruise through pages. In addition to that, well-organized site structure also plays key role in ranking on search engines.
If crawlers can easily discover crucial links and pages of a site they feel happy and favour it.
What Is Basic Website Architecture
A homepage consists of three main sections. Header, Body and Footer.
Header
Header is the opening part of a site. It also acts as a dashboard where the visitor will witness all vital navigational links. Key elements of header are Site Logo, Navigation Menu, Secondary Navigation(some sites may require, generally Ecommerce or business portals).
Body
It is second most crucial area which occupies the largest space just below the header. Body wraps the content part- especially posts, images and comment section. Chiefly new visitors will explore it for valuable information, and advertisements too will show up here, in case of a monetized site.
Depending upon the web design body can also have an additional left or right sidebar.
Footer
Footer, as the name suggests lies at the bottom of a site architecture. It accommodates Site Logo, Copyright, Subscription form, Tools, contact information of site owner and other useful links such as- marketing links, social media, Privacy policy. Footer can also be customized according to the owner’s choice.
Tree View of a Website Structure
Generally a site anatomy looks like an upside down tree. Starting from the root which is the homepage, it further branches into subsections to provide easy access to several categories and topics. Different sites will employ different layouts but the basic site structure should always carry fundamental features.
- Always aim for a simple layout that appears uncluttered and offers smooth browsing experience to the user.
- Avoid overcrowding home page to keep its structure streamlined.
- Provide as many navigational links as you can.
Why Website Structure Matters
- A well-structured pages ensures that the content is organized in a logical and intuitive manner, which enhances the user experience and keeps visitors engaged.
- Proper structuring includes using headings, subheadings, and clear formatting to improve the readability of the content. This is important for users with disabilities who rely on screen readers and for those who access your site on various devices.
- It helps search engines index your site more effectively, which can lead to higher search rankings and increased organic traffic.
- A good structure confirms that content remains accessible and usable on both desktop and mobile platforms.
- By optimizing the layout and minimizing unnecessary code, you can improve the performance of your site and reduce loading time, which is crucial for retaining visitors and reducing bounce rates.
- Consistent pages creates a unified look and feel across the site.
- As the number of pages grows, having a solid structure in place makes it easier to add new content or features without causing disruption. It simplifies maintenance and updates.
- An flawless site enables more effective tracking and analytics. You can measure user behavior, understand how visitors interact with your content, and make data-driven decisions to improve your site’s performance.
Architecture of a Homepage
Site homepage is the main introductory part. It is the first view that users typically see when they visit a site page. The homepage serves as the front door to the site and plays a crucial role in providing visitors with an overview of the site’s content and navigation options.
Homepages generally contain calls to action, encouraging users to take specific actions like signing up for a newsletter, making a purchase, or starting a free trial.
Design and visual elements on the homepage play a role in setting the tone and creating a pleasant user experience.
Navigation Menu
A user-friendly navigation menu is essential. It typically includes categories or sections that lead visitors to specific Pages. Keep it simple, organized, and easily accessible, often at the top or side of the page.
Group similar pages under one heading so that anyone clicking on a menu will immediately know what lies in the subheading. Maintain natural order from left to right, that is quick to comprehend.
Some sites may need two menu lists- primary menu or secondary menu. In the header section.
Menu item name is crucial when it comes to SEO as you are building a new site and it’s important to realize that each menu item should have well researched SEO based title. So you get the maximum benefit from is smallest part of your website structure.
Search Functionality
Implement a search bar to let visitors to explore relevant content. Search also makes it easy to find all related articles or content on one page.
About Page
This section offers information about your organization, its mission, and its history. People visiting any website would most like want to know about the company profile, who the owner is.
For instance, as a writer you can mention your domain, speciality, purpose of starting the blog. Always highlight the location, qualification, experience, and future goals. This will give insight into your personality and user can better relate themselves with you organization.
Blog
A blog page on a website is a specific section or page dedicated to hosting a collection posts. If you have one add to the Top navigation.
Contact
Includes a contact page so that someone can email or call to satisfy their queries. Contacts can have an email address, a contact form, a physical address (if applicable), and phone numbers.
Privacy Policy
Ensure your website complies with legal requirements by having clear privacy policies, terms of service, and other necessary legal pages. Nor all but some visitors want to know specific queries regarding their personal data and cookie etc.
From search engine point of view Privacy Policy matters a lot. Since they are the intermediate between you and the user search engines ensure – no breach of legal and personal protocol occurs
Add Essential Power To Website
Security Features
Once you are finished with physical side of the website structure, it is mandatory to install security features. These are essential to protect both the site itself and its users from various online threats and vulnerabilities.
SSL/TLS Encryption is crucial for protecting data in transit. It ensures that data exchanged between the user’s browser and the web server is encrypted and cannot be easily intercepted by malicious actors.
Firewalls can help filter and block malicious traffic, such as SQL injection attacks and DDoS attempts.
Sitemap
A sitemap serves as a roadmap for both website visitors and search engines, helping them understand how the website is structured and where to find specific pages and content.
Sitemaps provide a visual representation of your website’s structure, making it easier for both users and webmasters to understand the hierarchy and relationships between different pages and sections.
It’s a good practice to update your sitemap to reflect new content pages.
In summary, a sitemap aids in indexing, SEO, navigation, and overall user experience by providing a structured overview of a website’s content and layout.
Author Box
An author bio is a brief section that provides information about the writer or contributor of a specific piece of content, such as an article. It typically appears at the end of the content, on every page.
Extra Feature
Newsletter
Some enthusiasts may want to stay updated. Newsletter section encourages visitors to subscribe to new promotions and products. It is mostly available on the homepage, in the footer or pops up few seconds after user-interaction with the site. A user can anytime opt out the subscription.
Social Links
Modern internet user wants to fetch maximum information and is eager to find quick links to your social platform. Social media links like Facebook or Twitter allow users to follow and stay connected with their concern pages and content.
