3 Important Facts about Information Architecture
Information architecture is extremely important for website design, and it should not be confused with technical architecture or website navigation. Information architecture refers to the systematic labeling and structuring of a website or mobile app content to make it easier to use and navigate through. A good information architecture means that the people visiting your website will be able to find what they are looking for easily. It is an art of interacting with your visitors through your website in a convincing way. Also, when it comes to website information architecture, it is basically the backbone of your website and should be based on research and data. Adobe XD will be the right to tell you “IA has a tremendous impact on product design by making it easier for users to find important information.” Let’s take a look at a few facts about information architecture that will help you understand its importance.
Information Architecture is Not Site Navigation
A common misconception among a lot of web professionals is that information architecture and site navigation are the same things. While they are quite familiar and have some common characteristics, they are still very different. A web professional must be able to identify the difference between both of them. Site navigation is on the front, and the user interacts with it while information architecture is more like a revised sitemap with which the user does not directly interact. This revised sitemap is applied to the user interface later like a wireframe. To put it simply, information architecture is a well-made tailored structure and navigation are the elements via which users move around that structure.
It is based on The Mental Models of the Users
Another important thing about information architecture is that it is usually based on the mental models of the users. Mental models are an explanation of a person’s thought process and how they perceive things that work in the real world. This helps us understand a certain group of people that express similar motivation and matching behaviors. For example, when internet users come around a blue underlined text in an article, they already understand that it is a web link that will take them to another website page. The point is the content you produce on your website should be familiar with the audience you are targeting and must be tailored in a way that makes it easier for them to understand it. If you are throwing stuff out there that your users have to Google to understand, then you are not doing yourself any favors.
Information Architecture Fuels User Experience
A lot of CEOs overlook it, but information architecture plays a huge role in making a smooth user experience. If your information architecture is not well thought or is flawed, then it will be very noticeable. Study the behavior of your current and past users. Find out whether they were able to view the desired content on your website or they were not even able to find out. The goal of information architecture is to make sure that the users find the desired content on the website as soon as possible and in fewer steps. Information architecture may limit your creative design, but it can actually be a good thing and can make for a positive user experience.